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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Sule Gidado" <dr_sulegidado001@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 01 Oct 2005 20:26:42 +0000
Subject: MUTAUL BENEFIT.

STRICTLY PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
From: Dr. Sule Gidado.
E-mail: sulegidado3@excite.com

A very pleasant day to you.

It is my great pleasure writing you this letter on behalf of my
colleagues. I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in
the execution of a deal hereunder for the mutual benefit of all parties, and
would urge you to keep it confidential because of its sensitive nature.

Dr. Sule Gidado is my name, 52 years old and a renowned economist, happily
married with 2 lovely children. Special Adviser on petroleum affairs to the
former Military Head of State and presently, Chairman of the Contract Review
Panel (C.R.P) appointed by the new Civilian administration, with the mandate
to re-evaluate, scrutinize, approve and recommend for payment all previously
awarded and executed contracts for the Petroleum Trust Fund (P.T.F). With
the co-operation of two other top officials, we have in our possession an
overdue payment in US funds totaling $29.6million US.

The said funds represent certain percentage of the contract value executed
on behalf of the Petroleum Ministry by a consortium of foreign contracting
firms (ABB Lummus J.G.C of Japan, Julius Berger of Germany and Fouguerolle
of France) for Engineering and procurement work in Rivers and Delta State of
Nigeria in 2002, which was over-invoiced. Though the actual contract cost
(US$500 M) has been paid to the original contractor, leaving this excess
balance unclaimed.

The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the able
leadership of President Olusegun Obansanjo believes that private investment
in general, and foreign direct investment in particular, are the real
engines for sustainable economic development, for which reason it has
continued to encourage investments in the key growth-oriented sector of
Petroleum/Crude Oil with sincere determination to pay foreign contractors
all debts owed to them, so as to continue to enjoy close relationships and a
mutually beneficial co-operation with foreign governments and
non-governmental financial agencies. As a result we included our bills for
approvals with the co-operation of some officials at the Ministry of Finance
and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Due to the fact that we are still in active Government service and are not
allowed to own/operate foreign accounts while in service in accordance with
the laws of my country, we were compelled to contact you and more so, owing
to the fact that the contract was done by foreign contractors and payments
made in foreign currency (United State Dollars), the more reason we urgently
need your assistance to receive and secure this fund for us.

All modalities for the successful transfer of this fund including legal
and administrative requirements in Nigeria as well as that of International
Arbitration has been worked out. We hope to conclude this transaction within
ten (10) banking days once you open communication with me to furnish me your
willingness and by fax reconfirm the following information needed for easy
transfer of the fund:

(1) Your company or full names
(2) Company Address
(3) Phone/Fax Numbers
(4) Bank Name, Address, Account Name, Number and any other information.

I have the authority of my colleagues involved to propose that, should you
be willing to assist us in this transaction your share as compensation will
be 20% while my colleagues and I shall receive 75%, and the balance of 5%
shall be used to reimburse all expenditures, taxes and miscellaneous
expenses so incurred.

It does not matter whether or not you/your company does projects of the
nature described here. The assumption is that your company won the major
contract and subcontracted it to other companies. More often than not, big
trading companies and firms of unrelated fields win major contracts and
subcontract same to more specialized firms for execution.

This business itself is 100% safe and risk free, as long as you treat it
with utmost confidentiality. Also your specialization is not a hindrance to
the successful execution of this mutually beneficial transaction. I am
reposing a great deal of confidence in you here and hope that you will not
betray/disappoint us.

Best regards,
Dr. Sule Gidado.

NB. Bank Account details would not be necessary, if preferred mode of
payment is by solar bank draft or telegraphic transfer. Your reply to this
mail should be sent to: sulegidado3@excite.com


STRICTLY PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
From: Dr. Sule Gidado.
E-mail: sulegidado3@excite.com

A very pleasant day to you.

It is my great pleasure writing you this letter on behalf of my
colleagues. I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in
the execution of a deal hereunder for the mutual benefit of all parties, and
would urge you to keep it confidential because of its sensitive nature.

Dr. Sule Gidado is my name, 52 years old and a renowned economist, happily
married with 2 lovely children. Special Adviser on petroleum affairs to the
former Military Head of State and presently, Chairman of the Contract Review
Panel (C.R.P) appointed by the new Civilian administration, with the mandate
to re-evaluate, scrutinize, approve and recommend for payment all previously
awarded and executed contracts for the Petroleum Trust Fund (P.T.F). With
the co-operation of two other top officials, we have in our possession an
overdue payment in US funds totaling $29.6million US.

The said funds represent certain percentage of the contract value executed
on behalf of the Petroleum Ministry by a consortium of foreign contracting
firms (ABB Lummus J.G.C of Japan, Julius Berger of Germany and Fouguerolle
of France) for Engineering and procurement work in Rivers and Delta State of
Nigeria in 2002, which was over-invoiced. Though the actual contract cost
(US$500 M) has been paid to the original contractor, leaving this excess
balance unclaimed.

The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the able
leadership of President Olusegun Obansanjo believes that private investment
in general, and foreign direct investment in particular, are the real
engines for sustainable economic development, for which reason it has
continued to encourage investments in the key growth-oriented sector of
Petroleum/Crude Oil with sincere determination to pay foreign contractors
all debts owed to them, so as to continue to enjoy close relationships and a
mutually beneficial co-operation with foreign governments and
non-governmental financial agencies. As a result we included our bills for
approvals with the co-operation of some officials at the Ministry of Finance
and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Due to the fact that we are still in active Government service and are not
allowed to own/operate foreign accounts while in service in accordance with
the laws of my country, we were compelled to contact you and more so, owing
to the fact that the contract was done by foreign contractors and payments
made in foreign currency (United State Dollars), the more reason we urgently
need your assistance to receive and secure this fund for us.

All modalities for the successful transfer of this fund including legal
and administrative requirements in Nigeria as well as that of International
Arbitration has been worked out. We hope to conclude this transaction within
ten (10) banking days once you open communication with me to furnish me your
willingness and by fax reconfirm the following information needed for easy
transfer of the fund:

(1) Your company or full names
(2) Company Address
(3) Phone/Fax Numbers
(4) Bank Name, Address, Account Name, Number and any other information.

I have the authority of my colleagues involved to propose that, should you
be willing to assist us in this transaction your share as compensation will
be 20% while my colleagues and I shall receive 75%, and the balance of 5%
shall be used to reimburse all expenditures, taxes and miscellaneous
expenses so incurred.

It does not matter whether or not you/your company does projects of the
nature described here. The assumption is that your company won the major
contract and subcontracted it to other companies. More often than not, big
trading companies and firms of unrelated fields win major contracts and
subcontract same to more specialized firms for execution.

This business itself is 100% safe and risk free, as long as you treat it
with utmost confidentiality. Also your specialization is not a hindrance to
the successful execution of this mutually beneficial transaction. I am
reposing a great deal of confidence in you here and hope that you will not
betray/disappoint us.

Best regards,
Dr. Sule Gidado.

NB. Bank Account details would not be necessary, if preferred mode of
payment is by solar bank draft or telegraphic transfer. Your reply to this
mail should be sent to: sulegidado3@excite.com


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