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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: "pat edem" <patedem@blackglobalnetwork.net>
Reply-To: patedem@myway.com
Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 05:57:39 -0500
Subject: Dear Sir/Madam,

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Pat Edem, a solicitor and advocate of the
law. Nine years ago I stood for a client who bided for a contract to
supply oil-drilling equipment to the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC).

The contract was well executed and the total amount
involved was $19.5Million. Part of this money (10 Million) has been
paid to my client and ever since I have been negotiating the release of
the balance of $9.5Million that is now ready for payment. Unfortunately,
my client has passed away and
is unable to claim the fund, based on this, NNPC need
somebody who I can recommend as a business associate of my late client
in order to release the fund. I hereby seek your permission to present
you to stand as a Business
Associate of my late client so that the fund will be
released to you. My client died 6 years ago.

As lawyer and Advocate of the law, I will put all
papers in order to making sure that the law is not breached.
Negotiation is open to you to determine your compensation for your involvement in
this financial project. You are also free to ask questions on the
area(s) that are not clear.
.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,
Pat Edem


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