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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: EQUITY CHEMBERS <equity.chembers@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:47:36 +0900
Subject: Dear Friend

From Desk of: Barrister John Maduako
J&M Equity Association Chambers,Senior
Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)
Email: equity.chembers@hotmail.com

Dear Friend

Greetings! For this letter is strictly personal, intimate and confidential.
Forgive this unusual manner of contacting you, but this particular letter is of
exceptional and very private nature. There is absolutely going to be a great
doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email, coupled with the fact
that, so many miscreants have taken possession of the Internet to facilitate
their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and
legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition.

Do not be surprised to receive my letter, however it's with trust and
confidence that I present this business to you. I am Barrister John Maduako. A
solicitor at law and the personal attorney of the federation (SAN) I wish to
bring to you a profitable business that will benefit both of us, A national of
your country who works with Shell Petroleum Company here in Nigeria.

On the 21nd of April 2005, my client, his wife and two children were involved in a car accident along Sagbama express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

Since then, I have made several inquires to your embassy to locate any of his
relative's, but of no avail hence i contacted you. Why I contacted you is
because In my last Meeting with the Shall Petroleum company and the bank where my client had an account valued at USD$10.2 million dollars, they jointly
decided and asked me to present the next of kin whom will receive his money or
it would be included on their annual profit for the year 2009.

However, since i have been unable in locating the relative for over three (3)
years now, I seek your consent to present you as the relative since you are from
the same country with him so that this account valued at USD$10.2 million can be
paid to you then you and I can share the money equally. If you accept this
offer. kindly send me your acceptance letter and your phone number to enable us
discuses further about this transaction.

Very Respectfully,

Barr. John Maduako.
Solicitor At Law

Anti-fraud resources: