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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: "Sule Ahmed" <drsahmed2005@msn.com>
Reply-To: drsahmed2005@yahoo.co.in
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2005 18:36:21 +0000
Subject: Waiting for your response.

FROM THE DESK OF DR SULE AHMED.
TEL:234-8023530729


DEAR SIR,

REQUEST ASSISTANCE/PARTNERSHIP IN A TRANSFER.

I AM A MEMBER OF A CONTRACT AWARD AND REVIEW COMMITTEE. A
CONTRACT ALREADY EXECUTED BY A FOREIGN FIRM IN AFRICA IN
2002 WAS OVER-INVOICED BY US TO THE TUNE OF US$35.5M
(THIRTY-FIVE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES
DOLLARS ONLY).

IN THE LIGHT OF THE ABOVE, I ASKED YOU FOR ASSISTANCE IN
THE TRANSFER OF THE EXCESS FLOATING IN A SUSPENCE ACCOUNT
INTO A FOREIGN ACCOUNT YOU MAY WISH TO PROVIDE, FOR IT WAS
A CATEGORY "A" CONTRACT, (STRICTLY RESERVED FOR A FOREIGN
CONTRACTORS) THIS INFORM MY REQUEST, AND ALSO THAT I AM
FORBIDDEN BY MY GOVERNMENT TO RUN ANY FOREGN ACCOUNT.

AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER, 30% OF THE TOTAL SUM WILL GO
TO YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. 10% OF THE TOTAL SUM TO
COMPENSATE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL EXPENSES INCURED BY BOTH
PARTIES.

MORE DETAILS WILL BE GIVEN IN THE COURSE OF CORRESPONDENCE.

YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY IS HIGLY REQUIRED SINCE I AM STILL IN
ACTIVE SERVICE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED CORPORATION.


REGARDS,

DR SULE AHMED (FSS, CFR)


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