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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: "USMAN BELLO" <usman_bello_cbn@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 10:10:40 +0000
Subject: FOR YOU SIR

FROM: MR USMAN BELLO
DIRECTOR FOREIGN OPERATIONS
DEPARTMENT.
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.
PRIVATE EMAIL: mr_usman_bello@surimail.com

Attn: Sir

I am Mr. Usman Bello, Director, foreign operations unit,
of the Central Bank of Nigeria my office monitors and
controls the affairs of all banks and financial institutions
in Nigeria concerned with foreign contract payments.
I am the final signatory to all foreign transfers of huge
funds moving within banks both the local and international
levels in line to foreign contracts settlement. I have before
me the list of foreign contractors payment files,which are
due to be transferred to their nominated accounts.

Meanwhile, we identified some of these accounts to be
ghost accounts,unclaimed deposits and over-invoiced sum
etc. I decided to extend this deal/transacion
to you after seeing your company's profile in the net,
base on trust and confidence, I believe we can both work
this deal out in good faith, on this note; I wish
to have a deal with you as regards to the unpaid fund. I
have the opportunity to write you based on the instructions
I received two days ago from the Senate Committee on
Contract Payments / Foreign Debts to submit the List of
payment reports expenditures and audited reports of
revenues.Among several others, I have decided to
remit the contract sum of 12.86 million U.S.D to your
nominated account following my idea that we have a
deal/agreement and I am going to perfect the paperwork
legally.

MY CONDITIONS:
1. The sum of 12.86 million U.S.D, shall be paid into your
nominated account via telegraphic Transfer (T/T),
confirmable in 3 working days.

2. This deal must be kept secret and confidential,
and all correspondence will be strictly
by private email / telephone and fax, for security
purposes.

3. There should be no other third parties as most
problems associated with such payments are
caused by their agents or representatives. If you
AGREE with my conditions, Please, contact me
immedaitely via my private email contact as stated below:

mr_usman_bello@surimail.com

l will advise you on the next line of action and
immediately I recieve your positive position concerning
this deal I will contact a capable attorney, who shall
stand in on our behalf, to sign and acquire all the
contractual documents without further delay as I would
proceed to fix your name on the Payment schedule instantly
to meet the 10 working days.

Your reward in this transaction is that, due to your highly
desired assistance I will give you 35% of the total sum of
12.86 million U.S.D. while, I will get 55%, the balance will
be used to offset any incurred expenses.
Note that high degree of trust is required from you.

Thank you in anticipation of your co-operation.

Best Regards,
USMAN BELLO
mr_usman_bello@surimail.com


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