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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: "john koni" <johnkoni_116@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2005 13:44:16 +0000
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL.

Dear Freind,
TOP SECRET
I am Mr John Koni,the director in charge of auditing and accounting section
of Bank of Africa,Ouagadougou Burkina faso West Africa with due respect and
regard.I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be
very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction.
During our investigation and auditing in this bank , my department came
across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who died in a
plane crash july 2000 and the fund has been dormant in his account with this
Bank with out any claim of the fund in our custody either from his family or
relation before our discovery to this developement.
The said amount was EIGHTHEEN MILLION united states dollars.($18000.000.00)
Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put the claim over this fund as the
bonafide next of kin to the deceased;get the required approval and transfer
this money to a foriegn account has been put in place and directives and
needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your
interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self to this
great business opportunity.
Infact i could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this
country as a civil servant(A Banker),we are not allowed to operate a foriegn
account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of
transfer becuase i work in this bank. This is the reason why it will require
a second party or fellow who will forward claims as the next of kin to the
bank and also present a foriegn account where he will need the money to be
retransferred into on his request as it may be after due verification and
clarification by the correspondent branch of the bank where the money will
be remitted from to your own designation bank account.
I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free.On
smooth conclusion of this transaction;you will be entitled to 30%of the
total sum as gratification;while5% will be set aside to take care of
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills; while65%will be for me.Please;you have been adviced to keep top
secret as i am still in service and intend to retire from service after we
conclude this deal with you.
I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm
the money in your account and ask me to come down to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated
and further investment,either in your country or any country you advice us
to invest.All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when i
hear from you.

I look forward to receive your email

Yours faithfully
Mr John Koni.

_________________________________________________________________
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