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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: "Patrick Kofi" <angusokoye@myway.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: patrick1970@breakthru.com
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 23:30:03 +0100
Subject: Business Enquiry

Dear Friend

My name is Mr. Patrick kofi Adums 40 years of age I am compelled to contact you as result of a lifetime business relationship I wished to establish with you honorable self.

I am the Chief Auditor of Eastern Regional Branch of the SG-SSB International Bank of Ghana, I am a Christian. I write you this letter in
good faith believing both of us will work with one accord for the
realization of this project.. I am in control of the sum of Two million,
Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand US Dollars ($2,850,000.00) that was an excess of profit made by our Eastern region branch office in the last
quarter of the year 2004.

Due to the present political position of this country, I have carefully
placed the afore said fund in an Escrow Call Deposit Account and did not
declare this to my head office, Can I really trust you to hold this money
for me until I arrive your country and pick it up myself? This is where
the problem lies. You will be entitled to profitable percentage of money
as your commission if you will be human enough to work with me. If you
accept my offer you can contact me immediately via my personal email
address (patrick1971@breakthru.com)

All I need is your formidable current account where the money will be moved accordingly.
I will discretely give you all the information
concerning the account and the deposit so that you can apply to my headquarters directly for the re-location of the money. There is practically no risk involved; it will be a bank-to-bank transfer.

I hope you understand my situation.

Thank you .
Very truly yours,
Patrick kofi




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