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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: "Frederick Okoh" <fred_okoh@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: fred_okoh11@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 04 Nov 2005 13:24:48 +0100
Subject: From The Office Of Mr. Federick Okoh

>From The Office Of Mr. Federick Okoh
Organization For Petroleum Exporting Countries - OPEC.
Plot #123cbB/Pbv, main city
Sao Tome and principle of West Africa.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I want you to patiently read this offer. I am Mr. Federick Okoh the Head of
Delegation to the World Bank in West Africa. I am the linkman between the
Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries - OPEC and the petroleum
sector in a West African country. I also attend OPEC meetings constantly in
Geneva on the auspices of World Bank.
Through the sale of our allocated oil quota in OPEC, I was able to make
US$20Million, which is currently deposited in a Security company in Europe.
I want you to assist me to claim this money as I cannot claim it directly
because iam still a civil servant and the code of conduct bureau forbids me
to acquire such amount of money. It is on this basis that I am contacting
you for assistance, if you will be interested; claim documents have been
processed and will be sent to you.
The documents with which the fund is deposited will be changed to reflect
you as the new beneficiary so that you will be eligible to collect the fund
on my behalf. I will give you 25% of the fund for this assistance while
65%will is for me and 10% will be for expenses that may be incurred on both
sides.
I am aware of the international monitoring of all large-scale financial
movements after the September 11th 2001 terrorist attack on America and to
avoid any state of financial investigation I will provide a classified
clearance paper from the relevant body, which will exonerate the money from
drug, money laundered or terrorist related proceeds.
I want to assure you that there is no risk attached in this transaction. You
should also provide me with your private telephone and fax numbers for
easier communication.
Expecting your response.
Best regards,
Mr. Federick Okoh


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