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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: "tony smith" <tonysmith120@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2005 16:29:13 +0200
Subject: BUSINESS/FUND TRANSFER .

FROM: MR. TONY SMITH
DIRECTOR AUDIT AND ACCOUNTS UNIT,
AMALGAMATED BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA (ABSA)
142,WEST STREET SANDOWN 2196
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA.
TEL:+27--73-39-60-109
E-MAIL tonysmith120@hotmail.com


ATTN:

With due honor and respect, I introduce myself to you for a better
relationship. I am Mr,TONY SMITH, the Director in charge of Audit/Accounts
unit, Foreign Remittance Department of AMLGAMATED BANK OF SOUTH
AFRICA(ABSA). Your contact is courtesy of Business online network via
Internet as I decided to contact you for this beneficial transaction that is
100% risk free.

During auditing, verifications/investigations in our bank at the end of last
fiscal (financial) year, I discovered the sum of (US$17.5M}SEVENTEEN MILLION
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS in a dormant account belonging
to an Australian international businessman who died along with his family
in the November 5th,2001 plane crash in Abidjan west Africa. Our
investigations revealed no survival or NEXT OF KIN/RELATIONS for claims as
we have long been expecting someone to forward applications for claims as it
applies to our banking
regulations. Information / verifications from reliable sources confirmed
that his supposed “NEXT OF KINS” died with him in the crash. Hence this for
your perusals.


However, I kept this information (SECRET) confidential within my
jurisdiction to enable us submit claims and transfer this fund through
trustworthy person whom we shall present to our bank as the BONAFIDE “NEXT
OF KIN” to the deceased. We intend to credit this fund into any of your
nominated (designated) offshore bank account for investments.Meanwhile, all
domestic arrangements for claims has been put in place awaiting your
acceptance to participate. I will give you directives and all needed
information as soon as I receive your positive response.

Kindly understand that we could not carry out this on our own as based on
the simple facts that we are civil servants and secluded from operating
foreign account and too, it will raise eyebrows on our side in terms of
transfer being staff of the bank. Moreover, this fund belongs to a foreigner
and demands same as next of kin to claim it. Hence your contact for
successful operation. My colleagues and I has resolved to offering you 20%
of the total sum as commission, We will invest 75% of our share in your
country provided it is profit oriented. 5% of the total fund will be set
aside to re-emburse all expenses to be incurred in the course of running
this transaction such as telephone and other minor expenses. I am assuring
you of a smooth and successful transaction provided you display maturity and
observe confidentiality.

And it will interest you to know that the Reserve Bank(Apex) will approve
credit of this fund into your account as contract payment to abstain you
from all queries regarding the source (originality) of this fund and will
provide you (beneficiary) with contractual (data) details to certify your
bank or government if the need arises. Therefore, be kind to clarify the
following for my consideration:

1. Can your account accommodate this fund in your local bank without
government intervention or do you have an account outside your country where
you may consider safe for this fund ?.
2. What are taxation in your country like as I desire a low/free tax zone?.
3. What are the interest rates on long/short term fixed deposit in your
local banks?.
4. What other lucrative investments would you suggest as I intend banking,
real estate and hotels if they are good business venture in your Country?.
5. Can you be able to make residential documents and purchase a house for me
and my family to relocate and settle in your country?.

Kindly indicate your private telephone and fax number for more
effeicient communication.

Looking forward to your anticipated urgent response.

Best regards,

(MR TONY SMITH)

_________________________________________________________________
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