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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "Harris Mule" <harrismule2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: harrismule1@yahoo.fr
Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2005 14:03:34 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY.

From:Mr Harris Mule.
Vice Chiarman\Director\Board Member,
Transparency International Kenya.


I am the above name gentleman and I seek your
expertise in this financial matter of great magnitude.

Please for your perusal see and for more information
check the website below.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3338023.stm.

I urgently need to divert some funds currently
floating in the suspense account of a Financial Firm in Europe to your
account
as soon as possible.

Source of the funds:
During the Arap Moi's government, governments
officials awarded contracts to their own companies, these contracts were
grossly overinvoiced.
Now the present government set up contract review
panel to settle those owed outstanding amount. My colleagues and I have
identified a huge amount totaling US$ 870m (Eight hundred and seventy
million us dollars) oversea .

I have discorverded the sum of $14.8m (Fourteen
million Eight Hundred Thousand) dollars out these moneys overseas and I have
been able to secure it with a financial firm in Europe temporarily
and I wish to have it transferred to your account as soon as possible.

Note that because of my position as a top civil servat
we are not eligible to operate foreign accounts, and I have been
mandated to search for a partner abroad as we are in Dire need to invest the
funds in your Country.

I really want this transfer made as soon as possible
before the government, who have started refunding money from
Moi's foreign accounts track this money.I will be offering 20% for your
assistance
in receiving and securing the funds in your nominated account pending
our meeting to formally discuss investment matters..

If you would want to proceed with this transaction
please reply with your name and phone number and if you do not accept my
offer please treat with utmost confidentiality.

Best Regards,
Harris Mule


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