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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: "Livinus Iwuson" <livinus_iwuson@iwusonchambers.com>
Reply-To: cbarnz@terra.com.ve
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 15:25:51 +0000
Subject: Invitation to act as Next-of-Kin(Julian )

From the Desk: Mr.Charles Barnz.
Iwuson Chambers & Associates
25 Wilson Road Olodi Apapa
Lagos- Nigeria.

Private / Highly Confidential Subject Matter: Invitation to act as
Next-of-Kin.

Dear Friend,

I write this august letter in confidence, believing that it will reach you
in high spirit and I believe you will maintain the level of confidence and
trust matters of this nature requires. Though, I know that this proposal may
make you apprehensive and worried, but I assure you that all will be well at
the end. Before proceeding,I wish to introduce myself a barrister at law and
the principal consultant of Iwuson & Associates (LEGAL RACTITIONERS).

I am Mr Frederick Useni, a personal attorney to Late Engr Martins Julian ,a
Foreign Expatraite. I need a reputable person to handle this confidential
transaction which involves the transfer of a huge sum of money to a foreign
account.THE PROPOSITION:A foreigner, who was an Oil Merchant/Contractor with
the Federal Government of Nigeria, until his untimely death some years ago
in a bomb explosion accident,he deposited at a security company in Lagos,
and had a closing balance as at the end of September, 2002 worth US$10.5M
(Ten Million,Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) which the
bank now expects a next-of-kin to claim as beneficiary. Valuable efforts has
being made by me to get in touch with any of his family or relatives but
there has been no success. It is because of the perceived possibility of not
being able to locate any next-of-kin as(he died with his wife and two
children).

The security comapny wants the funds to be declared UNCLAIMABLE in another 6
months from now, if nobody stands as the next of kin before then, and
subsequently donated to the Red Cross and the Trust Fund for the Brain Child
of Mrs.Stella Obasanjo,Nigerian's First Lady which to us is fraudulent, In
order to prevent this,The management under the influence of a director Sir
Frank Willy some of my trusted colleagues and I now seek your permission to
have you stand as anext-of-kin to my client so that the funds US$10.5M would
be released and paid into your account as the beneficiary's next-of-kin.All
documents to enable you get this fund will be carefully worked out by
us.This proposal is 100% risk-free.

You can find information about the January 27th, 2002 Bomb Explosion on the
websites below.
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2002/02/02.html
http://www.afro.who.int/country_offices_press/2002/pr2002_nigeria.html



I have agreed that, the funds be shared thus, after it must have been
transferred into your account.

1. 45% of the money will go to you for acting as the beneficiary of the
funds.

2. 10% will be set aside for reimbursement to both parties for any
incidental expenses that may be incurred in the course of the transfer.

3. 45% to us the originators of the transaction. If this proposal is
acceptable to you, then take advantage of the trust we have bestowed on you,
kindly get to me immediately. Note that all documentation's and information
to enhance this transaction is in perfect order.



As soon as I receive your acceptance in principle, I will furnish you with
the necessary modalities for commencement.Nevertheless, you can contact me
for further discussion.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated co-operation.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Charles Barnz.


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