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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: "Engr. Ahmed W. Kamal" <ahmedwkal@mail2world.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: ahmedwkal@yahoo.co.in
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2005 20:24:10 +0400
Subject: GREETINGS FROM U.A.E

Hello my dear,

Before I introduce myself, I wish to inform you that this letter is not a hoax mail and I urge you to treat it serious. I am a Director in Procurement Department with Petroleum and Mineral Resources under Energy Ministry here in the United Arab Emirates. I obtained your email while searching for a reliable person, who could assist me in receiving transfer of a supposed contract awarded funds. This fund came as a result of over estimated contract awarded sums executed by foreign contractors in the Petroleum Ministry. The concerned Ministry has approved these over invoiced funds for payment. The contracts which the over invoiced sums was created from has been executed and commissioned. What I am about to receive now, is the over estimated funds which was added during the process of obtaining the contracts for my own interest. This is a normal deal that goes in my Ministry by top officials.

On my part, all modalities have been worked out in ensuring a smooth conclusion of the contract payment to your bank account within the next few days. My department approves payments to contractors, and I happen to head the department. All I want from you is to receive these funds on my behalf as a Sub-Let Company, because as Government Official I cannot collect the funds directly from my Ministry, neither I am allowed by Law to operate/ run foreign bank accounts. If you are trustworthy and can assist me in receiving the fund, do not hesitate to respond back to me immediately.

Please note that there is no risk involved in receiving the over estimated contract funds in your account. I want you to state in percentage what you shall have for participating in using your bank account to secure the funds. As soon as you indicate your interest, further details and the amount involved shall be given to you once I receive response from you. I hope I can trust you to treat this proposal with utmost confidentiality.

Looking forward to hearing from you soonest.

Best regards,

Engineer Ahmed W. Kamal
Ministry of Petroleum and Ministry Resources.
United Arab Emirates.






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