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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: Mr.Joe <jeomodu@excite.com>
Reply-To: mrjoenmodu@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 18:57:29 +0100
Subject: All I require is your sincerity, honest, co-operation and utmost good faiths


FROM: MR. JOE MODU
TEL: +34661146637
Dear Friend,
URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

I do recognize the surprise this urgent but confidential letter will bring to you especially as it came from a stranger, but rest assured that it came with best of intentions, I got your address from IBO. First, I must introduce myself, I am Mr. Joe Modu from the diamond-rich district of Sierra Leone and my father was the former Special adviser to the ousted Head of State of Sierra Leone, Major Johnny Paul Koroma.

During the war between our forces led by the Ex-Head of State, Major Johnny Koroma and the West African Allied Forces (ECOMOG), our country relied heavily on foreign earnings generated from diamond trade. This money was personally kept by the then President, Major Johnny Paul Koroma since our banking system had collapsed during the war.

However, as the war progressing, it became apparent that we were going
to loose the war to the superior and better armed West African Allied Forces (ECOMOG).At this point, the key officers of the administration started making frantic efforts on how to leave Sierra Leone safely thereby sharing the proceeds/money from this diamond trade, in view of the fact that my father was one of the key officers of then administration and an In-law to Major Paul Koroma, he succeeded in getting the sum of US$15 Million (Fifteen Million United States Dollars).

We made arrangement and deposited the money through diplomatic means to a company in Europe and I am presently living as an asylum seeker in Spain but unfortunately, my father died of heart attack after a few months of exile too, automatically, I came in total control of his properties as the only surviving son, after due consideration, I decided looking for solution to secure my only surviving hope, hence my contacting you. The actual content was not disclosed to Security Company pending when we see a trust worthy person who will assist us in securing the fund for our mutual investment and benefit.

I shall be most grateful if you can assist me accomplish this transaction and hoping too that you will remain trustworthy. For your efforts and assistance, I have agreed to give you 20% of the total sum while, 40% for my family and the rest of the 40% will be for our mutual investment in your country which you be in control.

Please, note that I have made arrangements for a successful change of ownership to your name as my associate, as such, the only thing I ask from you is total assistance to securing this money, complete trust and assurance that my own part of the money will be safe when secured in your name, I would also wish you kept this proposal highly confidential and secret considering my father's position before his death and the source of the money.
All I require is your sincerity, honest, co-operation and utmost good faiths to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

I will call you as soon as I receive your urgent response to discuss on how to meet.

Thanking you in advance for your anticipated co-operation and questions.

Yours faithfully,
Mr. Joe Modu

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