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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: "Mr Patrick John" <gtbankoffice2009@gtbank.org>
Reply-To: patrickjohn@feynet.cn
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 04:59:47 -0500 (EST)
Subject:

Hello

Although you might be apprehensive about my email as we have not met
before, I am Mr John Patrick, I am a Banker i work with (GTBank) There is
the sum of $25,000,000.00 in my Bank "GUARANTY TRUST BANK"Abuja Nigeria,
There were no beneficiaries stated concerning these funds which means no
one would ever come forward to claim it.

That is why I ask that we work together so as to have the sum transfered
out of my Bank into another Bank Account. I will be pleased to see if you
can help me and also be a good and trusted person. Once the funds have
been transferred to your Nominated Bank Account we shall then share in the
ratio of 60% for me, 40% for you. do send me a mail as soon as possible
for more details.

Regards,
Mr Patrick John


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