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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: "john_ibe" <john_ibe@terra.com.mx>
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006 11:41:36 -0600
Subject: VERY URGENT


Dear friend,

I am Professor john ibe, I am the Manager in the Department of Accounts Division, Assurance Bank Nigeria Limited, Marina branch Lagos-Nigeria. On December 30th 2002, one of our esteemed clients Mr. Andrew. made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit, for twelve calendar months in my Bank branch.

Upon maturity, we sent a usual notice to his forwarding address but got no answer. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his pact employees he was aboard the, Boeing 727 Beirut-bound charter Jet which crashed in Benin Republic during takeoff on December 26th 2003, see the below link for more news about the air crash:

www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/12/26/benin.crash/
On additional inquisition, the Bank discovered that he died without making a WILL and all efforts made to locate any of his extended relatives proved fruitless. On further inquest, it was discovered that Late Mr. Andrew did not state any next of kin in all his certified documents, as well as his Certificate of Deposit here at the Bank. The total sum is US$11.3M still in my bank and the in terest is being rolled over with the rincipal sum at the end of each year. No
one would ever come onward to claim this money.

accordance with the Federal Banking Governing Body and Constitution, the in account would be declared fallow and the proceeds would be revert to the possession of my Government if nobody applies as the beneficiary to the funds.

As a result, I shall install you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to this deceased, since you have matching last name with the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account could be released to you, for us to share. Upon your acceptance of this proposition, I shall give you comprehensive nformation on how this venture would be accomplished without any hitch. Moreover, we shall employ the services of a notary here for the purpose of procuring a letter of probate and to obtain all other pertinent documents in your name for the requisite documentation for immediate payment approval in my bank.

The money would be shared in the ratio of: Fifty percent for me, forty five percent for you and five percent for any arising contingencies during the course of this ransaction. I pledged that this venture would be accomplished under a justifiable pact that will protect you from any legal trouble and I will exert my significant influence in the bank to secure approvals and guarantee the successful completing of this transaction.
Please be informed that your extreme discretion is required. If this proposition interests you, kindly reply me directly by email and indicate your readiness and willingness to finalize this transaction with him.

Equally email me with your full name, your address, year of birth, your contact telephone and fax numbers respectively.
Upon receipt of your positive response with the requested information, I will draft an Application letter you will endorse and send it officially to my Bank for immediate Processing and Approval in your favor. You may also call me on my telephone number: 234-0820-755-264 if you require further clarity in the light of the above.

Thanks as I look forward to your timely and positive reply.

Respectfully yours

Prof. JOHN IBE.

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