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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: "Steve Okoye" <steveokoye22@msn.com>
Reply-To: steve_okoye22@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 11:01:59 +0000
Subject: RESPOND NEEDED


Dear Partner,
Greetings!
For this letter is strictly personal, intimate and confidential. Forgive
this unusual manner of contacting you, but this particular letter is of
exceptional and very private nature. There is absolutely going to be a great
doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email, coupled with the
fact that, so many miscreants have taken possession of the Internet to
facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for
genuine and legitimate business class persons to get attention and
recognition. There is no way for me to know whether I will be properly
understood, but it is myduty to write and reach out to you. For I know that
you are the only one that can be trusted to
handle this project effectively without making us regret. The
recommendation I got concerning you is enough to get us started with you!

I head a four-man committee on debt reconciliation at the Works Ministry,
where I am also a Director of Project Implementation. In recent , we have
carefully arranged a contract with a foreignfirm, in which the cost was
over-invoiced deliberately to favorus. Now, we want to get the funds out of
the apex bank into your provided account within one week from now, and a
percentage (20%) will be given to you for your assistance and efforts. The
amount we are about transferring is totaled at US$13,731 million.

Also, there is the need for you to know that, we shall be sending you upon
commencement, about $6000-$10,00 that will be used in taking care of some
expenses, as well as settling some taxes here, which you shall handle
personally., so there are absolutely no bills to be paid by you in the
course of the transfer. Note however that it is only on the condition that
you have an account domiciled in the United States or in the < BR>UK, that
is when we shall make the funds available to you. Our
financier is only prepared to release funds to the US & UK only. But if you
are outside these regions, we will have to talk further. All we need from
you now is s concrete mailing address, to enable us send via courier money
orders in the amount of $6000, which you shall use in settling the bills as
they come. We have set aside funds to offset whatever bill crop up in the
event of transfer. You will certainly ask yourself how consequential this
letter is. Indeed, is it not surprising to receive
such a letter seeking immediate assistance? This is why today I am making
you a non-binding, unrestricted offer, to bring us close into mutual
understanding andcooperation now, and in the near future.

Trust is definitely the most noble trait in the world, and I urge you to
trust my sincerity and the word of a simple and humble person of faith, who
in the name of love for her equals is willing to accomplish the task of
doing business with a trusted and transparent person. It is up to you to
decide whether this letter deserves your trust and confidentiality. And if
indeed it does, send me the following:

1. Your letter of consent.
2. Your mailing and contact address.
3. Your telephone numbers.
Upon receipt of the above, I shall communicate with you, and let you know
the details of the transfer. Whatever your actions and your decision, I
thank you for taking the time to read my email.
Best personal regards.
Steve Okoye.



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