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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: "Dr. Patrick Obi" <patobi08@zachariasz.com>
Reply-To: patrickobi08@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:28:57 -0500
Subject: FROM DR. PATRICK OBI

FROM DR. PATRICK OBI.

Dear Friend.

It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, which I believe will be a surprise to you as we have never met before, and I am deeply sorry if I have in any manner disturbed your privacy. Please forgive this unusual manner of contacting you, but this particular letter is of exceptional and very private nature. There is absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email, coupled with the fact that, so many individuals have taken possession of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition.

I am Dr. Patrick Obi, an accountant with OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC. The business I am about to introduce you is base don sheer trust and with a Sense of purpose. I am contacting you to assist me in repatriating the sum of $20.5M U.S dollars. The money and property left behind by Engr. Harold Bowen who had an accident On the 21st of April 2000, Engr. Harold Bowen, his wife and their two Children were involved in a car accident in a remote village called Kuru near Jos in Plateau State. All occupants of the car Unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to his embassy here in Lagos-Nigeria to locate any of Harold Bowen Extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful to locate any member of his family.

Now the management of the bank has issued a notice to provide the next of kin to claim the funds or they have the account frozen. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 6 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you are a foreigner so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$20.5M, can be transfer to your account that you would provided, then you and I can share the money, 60% to me and 40% for you.

Finally, I have made an arrangement with an attorney who will work on your behalf and secure all the necessary legal documentation that would indicate you as the Beneficiary of the fund to back up this claim, and this I must do to make sure that this fund is not wasted or end up in the wrong hands. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us sees this deal through and secures all the legal documents. I guarantee you that this transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of the law.


If you are interested in this deal, kingly get back to me with your complete information, as follow. Your private telephone and Fax numbers, your full name and address.


Best regards,

Dr. Patrick Obi.
Tel: 234-803-747-5858

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