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

Fraud email example:

From: "Peter Edward" <peteredward02@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 09 Feb 2006 10:53:54 +0000
Subject: From Mr.Peter Edward.

FROM THE DESK OF:
MR.PETER EDWARD
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
HEADQUARTERS.
COTONOU-BENIN REPUBLIC BENIN.

I am Mr.Peter Edward, credit officer of African Development Bank. I have an
urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.
In June, 1999, a German property consultant and importer of used cars ,Mr
Andreas Schranner made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar
months, valued at US$35,000,000.00(Thirty five Million United States Dollars
only) in my branch. It was to our utter suprise that we heard of his death,
wife and children in an AF4590 plane crash in July 2000. See website below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
On further investigation,I found out that he died without making a WILL, and
hitherto, all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless. Mr Andreas
Schranner was residing at No 1 Rue de Avenida, G.R.A. Cotonou, Benin
Republic.
I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr Andreas
Schranner did not declare any kin or relations in all his official
documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of
US$35,000,000.00 is still sitting in my
Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end
of each year. No one will ever come forward to claim it.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in
as the next of kin or business partner to Mr Andreas Schranner so that the
fruits of this old man's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt
government officials. This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately
your full names and address,phone and fax numbers so that the attorney will
prepare the necessary documents and affidavits that will put you in place as
the next of kin or business partner. I have two of my colleagues who are top
officials of the bank involved in this transaction. Your role in the
transaction is to send an application for claim of the funds to our bank.
Then, as top officials of the bank, we shall work behind-the-scene to make
sure that your application is approved by the management of the bank, and
the funds transfered to your nominated bank account.
Please note that there is no iota of risks at all as all the paperwork for
this transaction will be done legitimately and with our positions as top
officials of the bank would ensure a successful execution of this
transaction. If you are interested, please reply immediately to my email
box.
Please send me your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy
communication.
You should observe utmost CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECRECY in this transaction,
and rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of
us because I will require your assistance to invest my share in your
country.
I look forward to your prompt response.
Thanks and regards.
Mr.Peter Edward.
Direct Line: 00229-97 07 14 19


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