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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 Ubah" <jnubah@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: jnubah@excite.com
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 19:47:05 +0700
Subject: Business inquiry

Dear Sir

l am very interested in doing business in your country, therefore l would need your assistance and co-operation. l am particularly interested in properties but your advice on the other areas of the private sector will be higly appreciated.l got your contacts from a business guide and l am of the belief that you will be of a great help in guiding me to a successfull establishment of a good business in your country which is a good business atmosphere profit advantage to both of us.

My name is John Ubah from the Republic of Sierra Leone, l am the first son of Mr Silver Ubah who was a top manager in the Central Bank of Sierra Leone. My late father was kidnapped by the rebels on the day they attacked our capital city ( freetown) looting and destroying government offices, although he was later rescued by the soldiers, he latter died of injuries he sustained.

Due to his position, he was able to secure some reasonable amount of money ( US$10.6million) which he deposited in a private security company outside our country. The officials of the security company have no idea that this is money because my late father registered the cosignment as family valuables. Now after his burial, my family decided to leave the country for two reasons; one for our safety and also to find a way of properly securing this funds and then investing it in viable business ventures, hence l am writing you.

I will therefore like you to help me in very possible way in securing this money in your country,you will also assist me in finding a good business I will invest on. In view of your participation, I have made up my mind to give you 20% of this money. You will be required to come to Bangkok for a meeting with me, this will give us the chance to know each other better before this money will be moved to your country.

You will do well to reply this letter,if you have any question do not hesitate to include same in your reply. l would like to assure you that there is no risk involved in this business so there is no need to entertain any fear.

Please call me on 66-9-8271884, 66-1-2868299 for more details.

Thanks for your understanding.

Best regards,

John Ubah.


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