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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.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "depreye amechi" <acc_depreye45@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: acc_depreye@sify.com
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2006 00:53:48 +0000
Subject: Business Proposal

Dear Sir/madam,

My name is Depreye Amechi,I am the personal accounts officer
To H.E.Dr Peter Odili, the Rivers state Governor, a state in Nigeria.
Currently, due to the anti-corruption crusade of the Nigeria government,
office holders in the country like the governors are
Not allowed to own or operate bank accounts outside of Nigeria.
After due deliberation with Dr P.Odili, I have decided to forward
This proposal. I am looking for a reliable person who will assist us
In providing an account for the transfer of the sum of one thirty five
million USD ($35,000,000).
This fund resulted from an over-invoiced bill from contracts awarded by
The governor under the budget allocation of the Rivers State Government
And approved for payment by the concerned ministries. The contracts has
Been executed, commissioned and the contractors paid the actual cost of the
contract.
Left is the balance of USD 35,000,000. Part of the deliberate over invoiced
amount, which we are withholding. I am contacting you to be our custodian
for this fund. You will be paid 25 %( as the provider of the account and for
being partly responsible for the transfer of the fund). 65% for the
governor, 10% for taxes, as may be required by our government and yours.

To get this fund paid into your account, we have to
Present a Payment Invoice from a foreign establishment
Like yours. With this invoice, we will seek approval
To transfer the fund within 14 banking days through
The APEX BANK (CBN) to your designated Bank Account.
I and one of my colleagues involved in this deal will
Come to your country to meet with you and arrange for the best procedure to
use in the transaction and for our share upon the
Confirmation from you that the money has been credited
Into your nominated Bank Account.

Consequently upon your acceptance of my proposal,
Kindly confirm your interest by mailing to me of your
Sincere and serious interest which will enable me fax
You the procedure for operation.

Best regards,
Depreye Amechi


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