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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: "Silas Ajayi" <silasajayi@gawab.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 09:11:33
Subject: Real Opportunity

Silas Ajayi
Nigeria National Orientation Agency
Federal Ministry of Information
Abuja, Nigeria.
Tel: 234 80 5581 8032

Sir,

It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, which I believe will be a surprise to you as we have never met before. I actually got your e-mail address while searching the internet for a foreigner to handle this transaction.

I am Mr Silas Ajayi, director, Civic Registration, Nigerian National Orientation Agency (NNOA), Federal Ministry of Information, and a close associate of the immediate past Minister of Finance, Mallam Adamu Ciroma.

Mallam Ciroma he has mandated me to transfer the sum of US$88 millions recovered from over-invoiced contracts involved in the Nigerian National Identity Card project, into several private offshore accounts. A total sum of US$73,700,000.00 has been transferred before the untimely removal of Mallam Adamu Ciroma as a minister, leaving a balance of US$14, 300,000.00.

Please do not disregard this mail and for avoidance of doubt you can verify the National Identity Card project with the Nigerian High Commission in your country or you visit the Internal Affairs website: http://www.nigeriabusinessinfo.com/id-card180203.htm as posted by Nigerian business information in 2003 when the Identity Card project started. But do not disclose my identity or the actual nature of this transaction as I am still a serving officer in the ministry

I have made proper arrangement to transfer the balance. I am soliciting that you help me to receive the fund in trust. I cannot complete this transaction without the participation of a foreign partner who would provide an offshore account where the funds could be lodged, as the Federal Legislature does not permit Government workers to operate offshore accounts.

The remittance of the funds requires little documentation that would be completed as soon as you provide me with a secured bank account that you have absolute control over, where you may wish to receive the money. There is no risk involved on your part in this transaction since the Minister and I have covered this transaction with adequate contract and external credit documents.

What we require from you by email are:

(i) Acceptance of this offer

(ii) Your company name/address, telephone/fax numbers and a bank account that you have absolute control over where the funds would be lodged.

(iii) Convincing Honesty, Trustworthiness and Willingness to abide by the requirements of this proposal paramount of which is CONFIDENTIALITY

I have agreed that you will retain 20% of the entire US$14, 300,000.00 for your effort in this transaction, 80% for us partners here in Nigeria.

Please reply urgently by telephone or email, as I expect that the transaction will not take more than seven working days. However, if you are not in any position to assist us, please do not respond to this mail and we apologize for taking your time.

My warmest regards.

Silas Ajayi
















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