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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: "Tafa Balogun" <tafabalogun2006@tafabalogunworld.net>
Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 08:56:52 +0000
Subject: YOUR ASSIST NEEDED URGENTLY

DEAR,

I was until Monday,17th January 2005 the Inspector General of Police in
Nigeria.

The Government woke up and announce an UNTIMELY RETIREMENT without any
official statement.

My accounts in imo state,Nigeria and cotonou, Benin Republic which has
about$70 Million and
20 Million Dollars respectively (all my life'ssavings) has been froozen by
the Nigerian Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) visit the bbc publication on this
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4184257.stm>

I want you to assist me to transfer this sum out of europe into your
personalaccount for safe keeping
pending the outcome of the investigation. My family's passports have been
siezed and my son and
wife placed under house arrest. All I require is your honest co-operation to
enable me
get this money transferred to you. I guarantee that this will be executed
under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me by my
E-mail Address enclosing your telephone
numbers for more information to enable us discuss further. I would be
grateful if this mail will be favoured with

an early reply.my private email address> tafa_balogun2006@yahoo.com

Tafa Balogun.

I NEEDED YOUR ASSIT

tafa_balogun2006@yahoo.com


Anti-fraud resources: