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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: "joseph nkuna" <josephnkuna_82@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: joseph_akunafamily_2005@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2005 14:40:48 +0200
Subject: FROM: JOSEPH NKUNA HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL

FROM:JOSEPH NKUNA
SOUTH AFRICA J H B.
TELPHONE:27-73-14-92-038                           
 
                               
 
                                   FROM: JOSEPH NKUNA HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL
 
 
ATTN:MANAGER/DIRECTOR 
 
 
Dear SIR/MADAM 
 
I know you will be surprised to receive this  business proposal.  First, I must introduce myself.  I am Joseph Nkuna, from the Diamond-rich district of  Kono,Sierra Leone, and my father was the former Special adviser to the ousted Head of State of  Sierra Leone,Major Paul Koroma.  During the war between our forces led by the ex-Head  of State, Major Paul Koroma  and the West Africa  Allied Forces (ECOMOG), my country relied heavily on the foreign earnings generated from diamond trade. This money was personally kept by then President,Major Paul Koroma Since our banking system had collapsed during the war.
 
However, as the war progressed, it became  apparent that we were going to loose the war to the  superior and better armed West African Allied Forces  (ECOMOG). At this point, the key officers of the administration started making frantic efforts on how  to leave SierraLeone safely thereby sharing The proceeds/money from this diamond trade.
 
In view of  the fact that my father was one of the key officers  of the administration and a brother-in-law to Major  Paul Koroma, he succeeded in getting the sum of US$22.5 Million (Twenty-two Million Five hundred  United States Dollars). We made agreement and transferred the money  through diplomatic means to South Africa, where I am  presently residing in exile as asylum seeker but  unfortunately,my father died of heart attack after a few months of exile in South Africa and  automatically, I became in total control of the said  money  as the first child. Upon our arrival in South Africa  after due consideration, we deposited the money with a Security Company for the security reasons.  The  actual content was not disclosed to them (Security company) pending when we see a trustworthy person  such as yourself who will assist us in transferring  this money to his or her account outside South Africa, as the strict monetary laws here do not  allow asylum seekers certain financial rights.
 
I shall be most grateful if you can assist me accomplish this transaction and hoping too that you  will remain trustworthy.  For your efforts and  assistance, I have agreed to give you 30% of the  total sum while 10% will be aside for all the expenses incurred in the course of this transaction. The rest of the 60% will be for my family investment in your country.   
 
Please note that this transaction is 100% Risk  Free,for I have made arrangements for a successful  deal. As such, the only thing I ask from you is  total assistance to transfer this money, complete  trust and assurance that my own part of money will  be safe when transferred to your account.  I wish  you would keep this proposal highly confidential and  secret,considering my father's position before his  death and source of the money.your response will be appriciated. 
 
Best regards.
Mr Joseph NKuna

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