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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Fraud email example:

From: "Aliyu Mohamed" <alim0111@z6.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: aliyumohamed2003@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sat, 1 Jan 2005 16:15:38 +0400
Subject: I need your urgent help please !

Dear friend goodday,
Please I am contacting you as I saw your address in Internet but pardon and forgive me for this breach of protocol, as I do not know how to personally communicate with you.
I know this letter will come to you as a surprise; but this letter is borne out of my desire to establish a mutual business relationship with you,please keep it confidential!
I have the honor, with utmost good faith do appeal to you sincerely to render me an assistance by way of supporting me to bring over to your country the sum of United States Dollars Sixteen million United States Dollars only.
Please read this letter with an open heart. I am Mr Aliyu Mohamed the son of Dr Ibrahim Mohahmed the former deputy finance minister under the ousted civilian government in Sierra Leone.
My father was killed and mutilated by the military junta led by Major Paul Koroma after over throwing the elected government of President Tejan Kabba.
Though, I do not know to what extent you are familiar with events disturbances in Sierra leone, but the,pressure of war drove me and my mother out of Sierra Leone into exile in South Africa.Where we have been living under political asylum for three years.
Sadly, my mother died of cancer seven [7] months ago and was buried here in South Africa. Prior to her death, she handed over to me a certificate meant for a secret deposit which my father made in a security/finance company in South Africa.
This deposit is worth [US $ 16.000.000.00] Sixteen Million United States Dollars only, and this money is in cash.
My father made this deposit in the heat of the conflict then in my country, with the hope to convert it[money] to his personal use at the end of the war, unfortunately he was killed when the conflict intensified as result of his opposition to the rebel forces.
After my mother's funeral, I contacted the security company to confirm this deposit and establish ownership as well made an arrangement for this deposit to be moved through diplomatic channel to United Arab Emirates
Presently, this sum of U.S$16,000,000.00 Sixteen million dollars is currently being deposited in a security vault in Dubai. I am seeking for your honest and sincere participation in the retrievement and reinvestment of this money.
Upon the claim of the funds, I would like that your esteemed firm to invest the funds in projects that cannot be traced to my family. Immediately upon your response, indicating your willingness to assist me on the above, I will file an application through my lawyer transferring the deeds of ownership to you as the beneficiary.
I cannot do it alone due to my complete ignorance of the business world, more over I am only 27 years old I will give you a negotiable percentage of the principal sum in deposit if you assist me to retrieve and reinvest this money in any profitable area of business in your country.
I have agreed that the money will be shared according to the ratio that will be agreed on before commencement of this business. I will require from you:
( a) Your full names and mailing address of your Company/ Beneficiary.
( b) Your contact telephone and fax numbers.
The above requirements is to initiate and faclitate the Claim of the money from the security vault.
Be informed that the reason we are sending you this letter is because we know that the only way to succeed is to seek the help of a foreigner. Your professional status is not a matter of hindrance in this transaction.
Please, your assistance is highly solicited. I have no doubts at all that this money will be released and transferred if I get a trustworthy foreign partner to assist me in this deal. All expenses regarding the opening of an account if not already in existence shall be borne by you, all expenses are however reimbursable on the conclusion of this business transaction. It is of high hope that you will consider this request and respond positively.
Please an acknowledgement of the receipt of this letter will be appreciated. It is after the successful transfer of the funds when retrieved from the security vault/agent that I can begin to look into investment possibilities with you as a partner in a joint venture.
Please, I need your assistance urgently, because the more this consignment is still with the company, the more the demurrage accumulates.
While awaiting your early response, thank you in anticipation of your most valued assistance If you think it is worth giving some thought do let me know so that I can send you details.
Indicating interest please write me at (aliyumohamed2003@yahoo.co.uk) or call my private tel. (+971 50 84 63 497 ) please keep it very confidential !!.
In anticipation of an early reply.
God Bless You.
Thanks yours,
Aliyu Mohamed.



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