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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: danis platt <danisplatt14@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 08:50:57 -0600
Subject: For your own Interest



ZENITH BANK COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH THE UNITED NATION.
Send a copy of your response to officialemail: glomax_33@yahoo.com
Dear Friend, How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family?,You may not understand why this mail came to you.
We have been having a meeting for the past7 months which ended 2 days ago with the former secretary to the UNITED NATIONS.
This email is to all the people that have been scammed in any part of the world, the UNITED NATIONS have agreed to compensate them with the sum of US$ 550,000,00 This includes every foriegn contractors that may have not received their contract sum, and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc. We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you, this have been agreed upon and have been signed.
You are advised to contact Mr. Jim Ovia of ZENITH BANK NIGERIA PLC, as he is our representative in Nigeria, contact him immediately for your Cheque/ International Bank Draft of USD$ 550,000,00 This funds are in a Bank Draft for security purpose ok? so he will send it to you and you can clear it in any bank of your choice there in your country.Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him to send the Draft to you.Conatct Mr. Jim Ovia immediately for your Cheque:Person to Contact Mr. Jim OviaEmail: glomax_33@yahoo.com Thanks and God bless you and your family.Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your Bank Draft.Making the world a better place
Regards,Dr. Danis Platt.Former Secretary (UNITED NATIONS).
_________________________________________________________________
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