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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: =?utf-8?q?Godwin=20Ifechukwude?= <godwinifechukwude5555@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: godwinife55@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 15:57:21 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Positive Reply


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: godwinifechukwude5555@yahoo.in



- Hello Sir/Madam, I am Mr.Godwin Ifechukwude, a staff of a reputable bank in Africa. On the 23rd of Feb. 2005, a contractor made a deposit for 12 months valued at USD$25.5million. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we discovered from his contract employers,that the depositor had died. On further investigation i found out that he died without making a will. The money is still sitting in our Bank and Acco! rding to the Laws, here in Afirca, at the expiration of 10 (ten) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Government Treasury if nobody applies to claim the fund. Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you to stand in as the next of kin to the depositor. We shall employ the services of an attorney to arrange the transfer of rights and privileges of the deceased to you. If you are interested kindly reply this mail with: 1.Your full names.2.Your full Address. 3.Your personal Tel 4.Your occ!
upation.5.Your age. Best regards, Mr. Godwin Ifechukwude Union Bank Nig Plc


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