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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: "Barrister Ben Kofa" <barristerbenkofa_008@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 06 Sep 2005 05:56:18 +0100
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL (NEXT OF KIN OF MR. BARRY KELLY)

Barrister Ben Kofa & CO

E-mail: b_ben_kofasan@yahoo.com

I am Barrister Ben Kofa, a solicitor at law. I am the
personal attorney to Mr. Barry Kelly, He was the CEO
to a private firm here in Nigeria. Here in after shall
be referred to as my client. On the August 6, 1997,
my client Mr. Barry Kelly died from an automobile
accident. Since the demise of my client, I personally
has watched with keen interest to see his next of kin
but all has proved abortive as no one has come to
claim his funds deposit of US$25M, (Twenty Five
Million united states dollars) which was deposited by
my late client with Diamond Bank Limited here in Nigeria.

On this note, I decided to seek for a foreigner who
will stand as the Next of kin to claim this funds from
the Diamond Bank Limited where the funds was
deposited, as none of the deceased relative
has come up to claim the deceased funds. The banking
ethics here does not allow such money to stay more
than Nineyears, after which the funds will be
forfeited to the government account as unclaimed
funds. With respect to your personality, I will give
you 30% of the total sum.Upon the receipt of your
response, I will not Fail to bring to your notice that
this business is hitch free and that you should not
entertain any fear as all modalities for fund transfer
will be finalized within ten (10) banking days
depending on how fast we can communicate. I have all
necessary legal documents that can be used to back up
any claim we may make.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us
see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be
executed under a legitimate arrangement that will
protect you from any breach of the law.

Please reply to my private e-mail: b_ben_kofasan@yahoo.com

Best regards,
Barrister Ben kofa & CO

_________________________________________________________________
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