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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "melo ibrahim" <melo_ibrahim04@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: meloibrahim_77@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 11:54:38 +0000
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Friend,
TOP SECRET
I am MELO IBRAHIM.the director in charge of auditing and accounting section
of Bank of Africa. (BOA),Ouagadougou Burkina faso West Africa with due
respect and regard.I have decided to contact you on a business transaction
that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction.

During our investigation and auditing in this bank , In my department I
came across a very huge sum of money belonging to a deceased person who
died on july 2000 in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in his
account with this Bank with out any claim of the fund in our custody
either from his family or relation before our discovery to this
developement.

The said amount was EIGHTHEEN MILLION united states dollars.($18.000.000.)
Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put the claim over this fund as the
bonafide next of kin to the deceased;get the required approval and transfer
this money to a foriegn account has been put in place and directives and
needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your
interest and willingness to assist me and also benefit yourself to this
great business opportunity.Infact i could have done this deal alone but
because of my position in this country as a civil servant(A Banker),we are
not allowed to operate a foriegn account and would eventually raise an
eye brow on myside during the time of transfer because i work in this
bank.

This is the reason why it will require a second party or fellow who will
forward claims as the next of kin to the bank and also present a foriegn
account where he will need the money to be retransferred into on his
request as it may be after due verification and clarification by the
correspondent branch of the bank where the money will be remitted from to
your own designation bank account.

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free.On
smooth conclusion of this transaction;you will be entitled to 30% of the
total sum as gratification; while 5% will be set aside to take care of any
expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone
bills; while 65% will be for me. Please; you have been adviced to keep top
secret as i am still in service and intend to retire from service after I
conclude this deal with you.

I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you
confirm the money in your account and ask me to come down to your
country for subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages
previously indicated and further investment,either in your country or any
country you advice us to invest.All other necessary vital information
will be sent to you when i hear from you.

I look forward to receive your email .
Yours faithfully,
MELO IBRAHIM.

_________________________________________________________________
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