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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: "Barr Dan Johnson" <barr_djohnson2@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Reply-To: barr_djohnson1@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2005 17:59:35 -0800
Subject: Can we work together.

Grretings,
I am barrister Dan Johnson, The personal attorney to Chief Mrs. Stella
Obasanjo. Sorry for any embarrassement this my mail might cause you but
I don't have any option than to relate my reason for contacting you.
I contacted you in respect of Chief Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, the first
lady of the federal republic of Nigeria who is now late. She died on the 23rd
of October 2005 leaving a deposit worth of $14.5m cash. Nobody knows about
this deposit apart from her,myself and you whom am now putting into
confidence. I personally sorted the money into the consignment/bagagge before
depositing it as a diplomatic baggage. What I mean by diplomatic baggage is that
the consignment was received by the Security Company for safe keeping
without them opening it or scrutinizing it to know the exact content.(the
security company official are not aware that the true content of these baggage
is funds in cash because of security reasons).
I have to be transparent and sincere with you, She told me in
confidence that Immediately after her 60th birthday that she will move the funds
to Uk where she will open an account and deposit it for
investments after their tenure in the presidency but she told the Company incharge
of the deposit that she will be moving the deposit to a friend of hers in
Uk. According to the agreement she made with them, The only
people that can claim the consignment is herself or her friend which I will be
aware of and that is why I am contacting you to present you as the
beneficiary of the deposit.Now that there is no one to inherit this money, I contacted you so that
you can stand as the beneficiary to my late friend/Client to receive the baggage containing
these funds from the Security Company and I thank you for accepting this
offer. It is a deal between you and I alone, so that is why I resolved that we
should share the dividend 60% to me and 35% to you, while 5% is mapped
out for any expenditure we may both incur in the course of the transaction
.
To do this, you should provide to me the following information:
1. Your full name and address as contained in your international
passport
2. Your direct contact telephone and fax numbers.
Upon reciept of the these informations, I will submit it to the
security company for authentication and documentation in your favor for
appointment so that you will come for the clearance of the baggage containing these
funds. I hope immediately this is done, the security company shall
extend invitation to you to come forward for the clearance.
All arrangement for a successful transaction is in place and all I need
from you is your co-operation, all you need to do is to follow my
directives. In my capacity as the lawyer,I will present you to the security/financial
company as the beneficiary to the deceased depositor so that you become
the beneficiary and travel to Uk to receive the baggage containing
these funds from them as soon as you are contacted to come and clear
these baggage containing these cash.
Note that this transaction is 100% risk-free and will be handled
legitimately to avoid breach of law of your country nor mine.
You see it is a very simple deal all required from you now for our
success is your undivided co-operation and assistance then I assure you that
within the next 14 working days we shall conclude and be happy together. God bless as I anticipate your urgent
response.
Yours Faithfully
Barr. Dan Johnson
Direct Tel:+233243708220
NOTE: BELOW IS THE NEWS ARTICLE FROM CNN REPORTING HER DEATH.
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/10/23/obasanjo.obituary/


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