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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: "ghank fi" <gharl@fastwebmail.it>
Reply-To: finghankay56@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:31:00 -0700
Subject: FOR OUR UNDERSTANDING


*FOR OUR UNDERSTANDING

Dr Charles F Ghankay
Financial Analyst,
Federal Ministry of Power and Steel.
Suit 745, 10th Floor, Phq Complex (Annex).
Lagos, Nigeria.


Attn, My Dear Friend,

INTRODUCTION;-
Wishing you good all day. It is with great pleasure i write to you on this
guaranteed transaction. I am Dr Charles Finla Ghankay, 56. An inlaw and a
Special Assistant on Domestics to the immediate past president of Nigeria
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. I am the most senior uncle to Late Lady Stella
Obasanjo, late first lady and wife of the former presidnt. I was reassigned
to the above Ministry a couple of months back after our exit from the
presidential villa (state house).

REASON FOR MY MESSAGE:
With unimpeached respect for my consience coupled with confidence and trust
i developed for your personality, It has been my intent to open
communication with you in order to crave your assistance on the retrival
of the sum $16 million U.S dollars from a financial institution into your
private custordy for our benefit pending the conducive period i will come
and meet you for formal disscusion due to tight official bottle neck and
sensitvity surounding my new delpoyment. Moreover, it is also my intent to
quit the civil service and own a business concern.
*
*Please, for futural refrence, note that this money is not here in
Nigeria,it was deposited outside this country by my sister in company of
myself with the first and middle names of her 8 year old disabled daughter
who is presently in my household. As such, this transaction does not require
any approval nor clearance whatsoever from any quaters including government
ministries, parastatals nor agencies except a power of attorney geniunely
and lawfully stipulating change of beneficiay status to your name and
favour. The transaction is absolutely hicth free and straightforward.*

*To the end, i propose as follows,
1) You will be issued with a power of attorney geniunely and lawfully
stipulating change of beneficiary status to your name and favour and
authenticate your authority over the funds.

2) While compensation for your assistance is open for negotiation, it is
very obvious that you will be adequately compensated.

3) All that i would require for this transaction are (a) Full Names (b)
Full Contact Address (not P.o.box) and (c) Private phone numbers for
private consultation with you when necessary as mine are indicated above.

Finally, I will be very greatfull on reciept of your candid and sincere
response.

Thanks for your anticipated cooperation and Remain Blessed. Hoping to hear
from you soonest*.*
Respectfully Yours
Dr Charles F Ghankay *

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