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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: "ezekiel ezekiel" <ezekiel90@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 13:40:45 +0000
Subject: Dear Coffee

Dear Coffee,

I hope this e-mail wouldn't come to you as a surprise. Having gone through
your profile, I am convinced and pleased to solicit your sincere and urgent
assistance over this matter.

I am Barrister Ezekiel Chinedu, an Attorney to one late Mr. Peter J. a
Coffee local contractor with the Lagos State Government of Nigeria. My
client Late was awarded a contract worth of Twenty-Five Million United
States Dollars (25,000,000:00USD) by the Lagos state Government of Nigeria
for the maintenance and construction of roads in the states in 1999 and the
contract was fully executed by my late client. My client has been paid
Fifteen Million United States Dollars from the contract and he was to
receive the balance payment of the contract, but unfortunately my client was
involved in a fatal auto accident with his entire family on Sagamu Express
Road where he eventually lost his life and his two kids and wife. This was
in 25th of December of 2000.

Sequel to the death of late client, there is every need to present a next of
kin to Lagos State Government so that they can release the balance of his
contract money. Already the CONTRACT PAYMENT OFFICE under the Lagos State
Government has contacted me that the balance payment for the executed
contract, which has been approved for payment, is ready for collection. I am
therefore asked to present the beneficiary/next of kin for the claim of the
money (draft) from there office.

At this juncture, I have decided to divert this Ten Million United States
Dollars to a foreigner who will be presented to LSG, by soliciting the
assistance of a reliable individual (A Foreigner) that will be presented as
the beneficiary/next of kin of the fund. I will prepare all legal documents
in your name as the successor /next of kin from our Federal High Court to
back up the claim on your behalf which will enable Lagos State Government to
release the money to me on your behalf as the known next of kin to my late
client.

As soon as I hear your positive response, action will commence. Please bear
in mind that there is no risk involved in this transaction, but it requires
absolute sincerity and confidentiality due to the nature of the transaction.

I am willing to give you 40% of the fund as a reward for your assistance in
this transaction and I have set aside 5% of the money to take care of any
expenses that will be involved locally or internationally during the process
of executing the business. I will want you to respond to my email via below
email address if you find it difficult getting this one, with your private
phone numbers, fax number, cell phone #, your home/Company's Address as I
will be coming over to your end for the sharing and for quick communication.

I look forward to your swift response.

Regards,

Barrister Ezekiel Chinedu.
ezekielchinedu10@yahoo.com


Note: Having or bearing the same name with my client will make this claim
very easy as I am going to present and submit your name as the next of kin
and with me the Attorney to the late man you have nothing to fear as I will
be contacted by the Contract Payment Committee for confirmation which I will
confirm you as the next of kin and the money will be paid to you.


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