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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 harrison" <mr_john_harrison28@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 31 May 2007 15:11:06 +0200
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL!!!

African Development Bank Group
Mokova Towers, Suite 068
Braamfointeen, Johannesburg, South Africa.
(P.O.Box 1155, 2000 Johannesburg)
www.afdb.org.
Contact email :(
mr_john_harrison@myway.com)
   
 
 
                                        CONFIDENTIAL
 
Dear Confidant,
 
This may not be a proper way of disclosing a matter of such importance to you. But please bear with me as what I have may be of interest to you. It is a business proposal that will benefit both of us.
 
My name is john harrison, living in South Africa and I am 47 years old. I have been working with Africa Development Bank for quite a number of years now, as the Chief Operation Officer to the Private Banking Service Department.
 
My aim of contacting you is to solicit your sincere co-operation and assistance based on a financial portfolio of (21.5Million United States Dollars), placed under my supervision for investment purpose since 5 year ago .But presently the said Money is lying dormant in a Vault firm in Europe due to the sudden death of the original owner who left nobody as next of kin to claim this Funds. And as the Head of the Private Banking Sector as well as his Financial Adviser, I am the only person left with final details concerning his deposit.
 
I am willing to provide you with full information on how we can move these funds legally to an account opened in your name if you agree to assist and co-operate with me. I will also provide you with more personal details of myself and this transaction on your response to this mail.
 
Please treat this matter as confidential, urgent and utmost importance. Only
respond through my private Email: (
mr_john_harrison@myway.com)
 
 
Thanks,
Mr.john harrison.


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