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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: "john Frank" <john_frank2000@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: john_frank404@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:22:07 +0000
Subject: VERY URGENT

DR.JOHN FRANK.
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF
PETROLEUM AND MINERAL
RESOURCES.
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA,
LAGOS, NIGERIA
WEST AFRICA.
ATTN:
PLEASE REPLY TO THIS EMAIL BOX:john_frank404@yahoo.co.uk
Dear Friend,
RE:REQUEST FOR URGENT CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP IN RESPECT OF
THE
TRANSFER OF $25,500,000.00(TWENTY-FIVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED AMERICAN
DOLLARS)INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.
I,on behalf of my other colleagues from different Federal Government of
Nigeria owned parastatals decided to solicit your assistance as regards
the transfer of the above stated amount into your bank account. This
fund
arose from the overinvoicing of various contracts awarded in my
parastatal
to certain foreign contractors sometime ago. We as holders of sensitive
positions in our various parastatal, were mandated by the federal
government
to scrutinise all payments made to foreign contractors, and discovered
that
some of the contracts they executed were grossly over invoiced, either
by
omission or commission. Also, we discovered that the sum of
$33,000,000.00(thirty
three million American dollars only) was lying in a suspense account,
although
the foreign contractors were fully paid their entitlements after
executing
the said contracts.
We all agreed that the over-invoiced amount be transferred into a bank
account
provided by a foreign partner, as the code of conduct of federal civil
does not allow us to operate foreign accounts. However, we have service
suceeded in transferring some of the monies, precisely US$7.5(Seven
million
five
Hundred American Dollars) into a foreign account in united State of
America,but unfortunately the provider of the account has severed all
forms
of
communication with us as he has refused to adhere to our earlier mutual
agreement,
insisting that the total amount be paid into his nominated bank account
before
disbursement will take effect.
We are therefore seeking your assistance based on the balance amount
US$25.5M which can be speedily processed and fully remitted into your
nominated
bank account. On successful remittance of the funds into your account,
you
will be compensated with 20% of of the amount for your assistance and
services.
This transaction is closely knitted and in view of our sensitive
positions we cannot afford a slip.
I assure you that this transaction is 100% risk free.We will avail you
with our identities as regards our respective office when relationship
is
fully established and smooth operation commences. I am at your
disposition
to
entertain any questions from you in respect of this transaction, so,
contact me immediately through the above email address for further
information
on the requirements and procedure. Please note that this is a DEAL and
confidentiality is of very great importanceb for security reasons.
Please treat with strict confidenlity and utmost urgency.
N.B: Your telephone and fax numbers are needed for easy communication.
Best regards,
DR.JOHN FRANK
CIVIL SERVANT
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF
PETROLEUM AND MINERAL
RESOURCES


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