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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: "sophia and brother obed" <sophia_obed9@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: sophia_obed8@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 31 Mar 2007 20:29:35 +0200
Subject: my sister and i need your help

GOODDAY,
WE ARE VERY SORRY IF THIS MIGHT OFFEND YOU, THOUGH WE DONT KNOW YOU BUT I AND MY YOUNG BROTHER BELIEVE THAT THE SPIRIT OF OUR FATHER STILL LEAVES WITH US, ALSO WE KNOW HE IS AWARE THAT I AND MY YOUNG BROTHER ARE CONTACTING YOU FOR AN ASSISTANCE BASED ON TRUST.PERMIT ME TO USE THIS MEDIUM TO EXPLAIN OUR PROBLEM TO YOU IN THE NAME OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD WHOM WE SERVE.
FIRSTLY,WE WANT TO EXPLAIN OUR SEIF TO YOU SO THAT YOU WILL UNDERSTAND AND COMPREHEND OUR POINT CLEARLY.I AM Ms SOPHIA .MONUBAHI 24YRS OLD,WITH MY YOUNG BROTHER OBED MONUBAHI 22YERS OLD WE FROM BENIN REPUBLIC, THE ONLY DAURTHER AND SON OF LATE MR AND MRS DR CALEB MONUBAHI N.P
MY FATHER WAS A VERY WEALTHY COCOA MERCHANT BASED IN DAKAR-SENEGAL, THE ECONOMIC CAPITAL OF SENEGAL, BEFORE HE WAS POISONED TO DEATH BY HIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATES ON ONE OF HIS BUSINESS OUTING.
WHEN OUR MOTHER DIED ON THE 21ST OCTOBER 1996, OUR FATHER TOOK US SO SPECIAL BECAUSE I AND MY YOUNG BROTHER WAS THE ONLY DAURTHER AND SON HE HAD BEFORE HIS DEATH ON THE 24TH OF AUGUST 2006 IN A PRIVATE HOSPITAL HERE IN PORTO-NOVO,BENIN REPUBLIC.
HE SECRETLY CALLED ME ON HIS BEDSIDE AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SUM OF US $24million DEPOSITED IN A BANK (IN DAKAR-SENEGAL),WHICH MY NAME WAS USED AS HIS NEXT OF KIN IN DEPOSIT OF THE FUND. DUE TO HIS ENCOUNTER WITH HIS ASSOCIATES AND RELATIVES, WHICH LEAD TO HIS DEATH, HE INSTRUCTED US TO SEEK FOR A FOREIGN FRIEND WHO WILL AID US IN THE TRANSFER OF THE MONEY FOR OUR EDUCATION, INVESTMENT AND LIVE A GOOD LIFE.
WE ARE HONOURABLY SEEKING YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS;-TO ASSIST US IN COMING OVER TO YOUR COUNTRY-TO FURTHER OUR EDUCATION AND TO SECURE A RESIDENTIAL PERMIT IN YOUR COUNTRY. MOREOVER, WE ARE WILLING TO OFFER YOU 25% WITH 5% IN ADDITION FOR ALL YOUR EXPENSES AS COMPENSATION FOR YOUR EFFORT.
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR WILLINGLESS TO HELP US BY FORWARDING YOUR FULL
NAME AND ADDRESS FOR SU WE TO SUMMIT IT TO OUR BANK .
1. Your Full Name.......................................
2.Nationality..............................................
3. Your Age ........................................
4. Your Sex......................................
5. Marital Status..................................
6.Your Occupation..............................
7.Your Home And Office Address................
8.Your Telephone And Fax Number.......................
9.A Scan Copy Of Your International Passport Or Driving Licence..........
10. Bank Account Details...............................................
PLEASE REPLY PROMPTLY.
MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU AS WE AWAIT YOUR POSITIVE DECISION TO HELP.
THANKS AND GOD BLESS.
BEST REGARDS.
Reply Us With This Email Address: sophia_obed@yahoo.com
Ms Sophia and younger brother Obed Monubahi.


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