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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 okeke <richardokeke225@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 02:32:34 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: COMPENSATION FOR YOUR HELP


Dear Amarjit Singh

Compliments of the day and God's blessings.
I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the transaction,
the money transferred to Spain. It is done through the assistant of
your country man Mr. Emilio Alvarez Infante who is a Spanish based business man.
Currently I am in Spain with him and my family.
However, I did not forget you because you are the source of my success,
you made me what I am now though you are not there to complete this project
with me but I gave all the credit and thanks to you. I know it is not your
fault or rather your wish to back up on me and the transaction, I understood
that it was simply because of what you must have heard about my country and
her business opportunities. Actually there are still good ones for example myself.
In appreciation of your assistance, I have mapped out as a gratification a
Draft of US$500,000.00.(Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) I left the Draft with my secretary Ahmed Uba on my departure to Spain. I would like you therefore, to contact him on the below information so that he can mail the draft to you.
Attn: Ahmed Uba
Email: ahmed_uba123@yahoo.com
I would have loved to call you from here where I currently reside but due to the recent terrorist attack Mr. Alvarez adviced me not to call because all internatonal calls are
been monitored by the Spanish agents on terrorist control. Contact Ahmed Uba immediately in Nigeria so that he will send you the draft a.s.a.p. I will stop here until I confirm from you that you have received it.
Once again, thank you very much and remain blessed.
Regards,

Mr.Richard Okeke



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