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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: "Michael obi" <michael_obi@towernetworks.net>
Reply-To: michael_obi01@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 12:40:59 -0400
Subject: late Morris Thompson

Dear Friend,

First, I'm soliciting your utmost confidenciality inthis Transaction.

I am Michael Obi, Credit Officer of a bank in Lagos Nigeria. I came to you in my private search for a reliable person to handle this confidential transaction, which involves huge sum of money to your country.

The Proposition: A foreigner American, late Morris Thompson who died on January 31 aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 261, which crashed into the Pacific Ocean not far from Los Angeles., while returning from Mexico for on a vacation. He Banked with us at our bank and had a closing balance worth US$11,Million, having heard of the tragic incident involving late Morris Thompson the bank now expects a next of kin as beneficiary. Valuable efforts have been made by the Bank management to get in touch with any of His family's but I personally found out that He died with out a will.

I'm taking this advantage in order to better my life and that of my family, I now decided to seek your permission to have you stand as next of kin to late Morris Thompson, so that the fund (US$11M) will be released into your account as the next of kin. All documents and proves to enable you get this fund will be carefully worked out, by the lawyer that will be employ to work on your behalf . You can take time and verify from the website as shown herein for confirmation of the crash,
<http://edition.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/>

I am assuring you that this transaction and its procedures is 100% legal and risk free involvement. Your share stays while the rest will be for myself.

The sharing of the fund between the two of us will be as follows: 30% of the tatal sum will go to you for your effort and commitment to the sucess of thistransaction. 70% will be for us here. As soon as I receive an acknowledge of the receipt of this message in Acceptance, I will immediately start up with the process. If this proposal is acceptable by you, kindly reply me immediately you get this mail.

I want you to also furnish me with your private telephone/fax or preferably your mobile numbers as well as your full names and address,I will have to apply for the release and subsequent transfer of the fund in your favour.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated
cooperation.

Yours faithfully,
Dr Michael Obi

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