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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: "Dr steve Williams" <stevewilliams1@telegraf.by>
Reply-To: frankoputa00@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 15:34:31 +0100
Subject: GOOD NEWS DEAR FRIEND


Dear Friend,

How are you doing? Hope you have not forgotten me, I am Steve Williams, the
man Who contacted you some time ago to assist me secure the release of some
Money accrued from the over invoicing of a contract/inheritance that Was
awarded by my government some time ago during the military regime.

Though you were not able to assist me conclude the transaction, I'm happy to
inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the
Assistance and cooperation of a new partner from Brazil. Presently I'm in
London-United Kingdom for investment projects with my own share of the Total
sum.

Meanwhile, I didn't forget you're past efforts and attempts to assist me In
transferring those funds, I made sure you are not left out the benefit of
the transaction hence I kept aside for the sum of Four Million United State
Dollars.(US$ 4,000,000.00)Draft.

My new partner and I agreed to compensate you with that amount for all
you're past efforts and attempt to assist me in this matter. I appreciated
your efforts at that time very much, so feel free and get in touch with my
Secretary Prince Frank Oputa and instruct him on how to send the Bank Draft
to you.

Please do let me know immediately you receive the Draft so that we can Share
the joy together after all the suffer ness at that time. In the moment, I'm
very busy here because of the investment projects which me and my Partner
are having at hand, finally, remember that I had left instruction to my
Secretary so as soon as you contact him, he will send the Bank Draft to
you, so feel free to get in touch with my Secretary now.

Below is the contact of my Secretary:
Prince Frank Oputa
E-mail: frankoputa00@yahoo.co.uk



With Best Regards,

Steve Williams

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