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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: "RICHARD UDUKU" <richuduku@she.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2006 17:48:13 +0700
Subject: ATTENTION FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT

Attn: The Director&Ceo.
Greetings,
I know that this mail will come to you as a surprise but honestly I do not intend to surprise you.
In introduction my name is Richard Uduku I write this letter in respect of my intention to transfer and invest the sum of US$18,000,000.00 in your company which I inherited from my Father who was a Politician and oil/Gold dealer from Guinea Bissau . But unfortunately he was shot dead by his political opponent during one of his business trip to Cote D Ivoire. I am now left with my only surviving mother who unfortunately has been critically ill since 2 months after the death of my father because of the shock of his late husband's death. And because of how my dad's political opponents has been trying to eliminate our entire family, I then had to run out of my country with my mum for our dear lives.
The fund in question is now with the Financial Firm where it was deposited and all it's Documents are still intact with me. In view of this plight, I expect you to be trust worthy and kind enough to assist me ,I hereby agree to compensate your sincere and candid effort in this regard with 20% of the total fund and 5% for expenses,which may arise during the transaction.
Whatever your decision is please contact me immediately through this email rich.uduku@yahoo.com <mailto:richard.uduku@yahoo.com> or richuduku@she.com
Best Regards.
Richard Uduku.


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