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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: "Ahmed Morgan" <ahmedmorgan101@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 17:42:13 +0000
Subject: Attn:Luu

FROM: MR.AHMED MORGAN
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING UNIT.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT.
WEMA BANK NIGERIA PLC.
TELE:+234-80-37160961

Attn:Luu
I am Mr. Ahmed Morgan the director in charge of auditing and accounting
section of WEMA BANK NIGERIA PLC. I came across Avery huge sum of money
belonging to Mr. John Luu a national of your country, who used to work with
AFRICAN PETROLUM COMPANY Nigeria [AP]. On the 21st of April 1999, MR John
and his wife and their two children were involved in a car accident along
aba express road after my verification. All occupants of the vehicle
unfortunately lost there lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to
your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also
proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to
trace his last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his family.I
have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left in his account
before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank. The
deceased had an account valued at about Ten million US dollars (US$10M)
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years
now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased
since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account
valued at Ten Million US dollars (US$10M) can be paid to you and then you
and me can share the money. 60% to me and 35% to you, While 5% will be set
aside to settle expenses incurred during processing this transaction. It is
this time a game of trust and interest meanwhile all the whole arrangement
to put claim over this fund as the bonafide next of kin to the deceased, get
the required approval and transfer this money to a foreign account has been
put in place. The directives and needed information will be relayed to you
as soon as you indicate your interest and willingness to assist me and also
benefit from this great business opportunity.

In fact I could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this
country as a civil servant (A Banker), we are not allowed to operate a
foreign account and would eventually raise an eyebrow on my side during the
time of transfer because I work with the bank. This is the actual reason why
it will require a second party or fellow who will forward claims as the next
of kin with affidavit of trust of oath to the Bank and also present a
foreign account where he will need the money to be transferred at his
request as it will be after due verification and clarification.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free.
Please, you are advised to keep this as "top secret" as i am still in
service and intend to retire from service after I conclude this deal with
you.

I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm
the money in your account, and ask me to come down to your country for
subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated
and further investment, either in your country or any country you advice me
to invest in. All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when
I hear from you. I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating
your wish in this deal through email address above.
I look forward to pick your mail.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Ahmed Morgan
CHIEF AUDITING OFFICER


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