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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: "drdouglasgopal1" <drdouglasgopal1@terra.com.mx>
Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 18:49:20 -0600
Subject: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL FUND TRANSFER


From the Desk of Dr.Douglas Gopal.
B.sc.(UNN);Msc;Ph.D;Mnim;Mica
Executive Director of the project and
Engr.Department(N.N.P.C).
ATTN;DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT.
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

Although this letter may come to you as surprise but please accept this as an introduction of myself and a request for urgent attention. I got your address and necessary information through business consultant of my Ministry (NNPC) whose duty it is arrange for international engagement in and outside my Ministry but sincerely speaking, the details proposal of this letter was not disclose to him due to its confidential nature. Briefly, may I take the liberty to introduce myself as the Deputy Director of the Project and Engineering Department of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). I am privileged to be the Chairman to audit and review payment of foreign contractors. I carried out an Internal Audit with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) only to discover the sum US$44.4M (Fourty four million four hundred thousand United State Dollars only). Outstanding. I inform the director general whose duty it is to oversea the daily activities of the corporation.

I asked him of his opinion over the discovered fund, he confirmed that we are having political situation in our country and my position as the Chairman of the Federal Contract Review Committee we arrive at the conclusion to use this opportunity to ensure future by remitting the fund to a trusted person or company's account outside Nigeria for our own use.All we are looking is a trustworthy and honest foreign partner whom we can use his company or individual account to get this outstanding fund remitted oversea.On my side, this is a lifetime opportunity considering the economic problem in Nigeria and we cannot afford to let it go.

Being civil servant we are not allow to operate a foreign account or own foreign company hence my picking you and your company for this transaction. Hoping you will assist me with every confidentiality.As a matter of fact, all modalities for the successful transfer of this money have been worked out, the present Civilian Government has approved the payment of all foreign contractors and this US$44.4M outstanding is included, so if this project attracts your interest then 30% of the total fund will be given to you as your share for using your account, 60% goes to us the officials and the remaining 10% has been mapped out to cover all the expenses to be incurred by both parties during the course of this transaction, I have in plan to invest some of my share in your country with your help in this view. Pls you can reply me through my confindential email address :- drdouglasgopal@yahoo.com OR dr_douglasgopal@yahoo.it for security reason you are required to provide the following:
1. Bank Name and Address where the money will be remitted.
2. Your Account Number
3. Beneficiary's Name and Address
4. Your official and private Telephone and Fax Number
I am looking forward to your favourable response. Till I hear from you.
Yours faithfully,

Dr.Douglas Gopal.

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