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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: Wuruka Johnson <wj00011@msn.com>
Reply-To: <wuruka_johnson1@excite.it>
Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:42:38 +0000
Subject: From Mr. W. Johnson



>From the desk of:

Mr. W. Johnson,
Director of Operations,
AV Diplomatic Global Finance Services Ltd.
(AV Security Complex)
Plot 3 Ahmadu Bello Way
Victoria Island, Lagos,
Nigeria.

Dear Friend,

I am Mr. W. Johnson, the Director of Operations of the above stated finance company. It’s indeed with a heart hope that I am contacting you in the context below, believing that you will treat this with utmost secrecy and absolute confidentiality. It may interest you to know that deciding to reach you was not an easy task for me, as I had to ensure that whomever I would select in regard to this “DEAL” must be of high moral estate and sound reputation.

Since I joined this company 25 years ago as an office assistant, I have been watching with meticulous precision how some government officials; foreign contractors and business personalities are moving funds out of the country through this company.

It has been confirmed that most of these deals were done under strict confidentiality thereby not notifying some of their relatives. During last year account auditing, it was discovered that a lot of transfer were not completed as a result of either government strict policies or death of depositors. The company is left with surplus funds floating which could not be accounted for both directly with the company and its bankers UNION BANK.

Since the inception of the New Year, our company for some reasons has reduced the stringent conditions that made it difficult for relatives of depositors to make claims. Based on this reduced claim conditions, I am contacting you to PRESENT YOU AS BENEFICIARY OF A DEPOSIT OF $12,500,000.00 (Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand European Euros Only) deposited by Late Mr. Andreas Schranner a German contractor who perished with his entire family including inlaws in the ill-fated Air France Concorde plane AF4590 that crashed into Hotelissimo on Monday, 24 July 2000. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm).
Be informed that this claim could only be achieved with the assistance of a foreigner or a foreign company irrespective of the difference in surnames and nationalities. All claim modalities has been perfected and I assure you that this is 100% risk free. I assure you that your personality, image and interest will be highly protected; all legal procedures shall be duly followed to avoid any of us breaching the law. Be assured that after the successful conclusion of this deal, all documents bearing your name used in this transaction will be withdrawn and destroyed.

You are entitled to 30% of the total sum for your assistance while the balance of 70% is for me and may be used for investment in your country under your management and supervision if interested. Make available your full contact details, Name, phone and fax numbers including current contact address.

A comprehensive detail will be given on receipt of your response indicating your interest. Confidentially mail your response and contact information to johnsonw300@sify.com

Thanking you for your anticipated understanding, cooperation and urgent favorable response.

Regards
Mr. W. Johnson

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