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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: "owusuosei" <mrowusu_osei@tiscali.co.uk>
Reply-To: owusuosei1@myway.com
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 14:22:28 +0200
Subject: GOOD DAY DEAR

Texto del mensaje:
Private/Confidential.

Hello Dear,


I am Mr. Owusu Osei , head of auditing and accounting department of Pan-African
development finance institution established in 1964 to foster economic growth
and social progress in Africa.

It is my humble wish to bring to your notice a transaction which I consider
most strictly confidential and I will like to let you know that I have made
series of enquiry on this issue.

To start with, may I solicit your trust worthiness and confidence on this
issue, for the nature of it and my position in the Pan-African development
finance institution established in 1964 to foster economic growth and social
progress in Africa, it is unlawful to expose any account owner customer banking
information to a third party, but for business sake, let it be a secret between
both of us.

I was made the head of auditing and accounting in the year 1995,in that same
year, I carried out a general auditing, then I discovered that there is an
account opened in this bank in 1991.After going through some old files in
the records, I went further to investigate this account, it was then that
I realise that the owner of this account Mr.Pierre Oliver a Belgium national,
who died some years ago, unknown to the relatives that such account is existing.


My investigation proved to me that no other person knows about this account
or any thing concerning it, as well as the account has no trace of other
beneficiary.

In 1995, this account contained the sum of $6.3million, but in 1998,I noticed
that about $22.6million was transferred to this account from Switzerland
and another $3million from South Africa was also transferred to it, but up
till this day, no withdrawal was made.

In the recent meeting held by the Board of Directors in our bank, it was
deliberated on the issue of unclaimed funds lying in our bank, but decided
to adjourn the motion as contained in the article 13 (b) sub-section (iv)of
the minutes of the BOD's meeting.

I need your full co-operation to make this subject successful because the
management is ready to approve this payment to any foreigner who has correct
information of this account, which I will give to you immediately if you
are capable and willing to handle such transaction with confidence and trust
according to my instructions and advise for our mutual benefit because this
is a life time opportunity I do not want to miss.

I have to assure you that with my position now in the office I can transfer
this money to any reliable foreign account which you can provide with full
assurance that this money will be safe and well guided. I will destroy all
document of transaction in my office immediately we receive this moneyleaving
no trace to any place.

I will use my position and influence to effect legal approvals and onward
transfer of this money to your account with appropriate clearance forms of
the ministries and foreign exchange departments.If possible You can come
to Cotonou Rep. of Benin to discuss with me face to face after which I willmake
the remittance in your presence and two of us will fly to your country for
withdrawal and sharing.

Please reply urgently, also send your private telephone and fax numbers,Bank
Account details (Name of Bank, Address, A/C Name etc).I would like us to
meet face to face or to sign a binding agreement to ensure that we can receive
this money with trust to each other.

I will look forward to your earliest call through my Private telephone.

Yours Truly,
Mr. Owusu Osei

Tell:00229-062633.
Email address alternative:owusuosei1@myway.com










___________________________________________________________

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