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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: "MINISTER FOREIGN AFFAIRS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <minister.foreign.affairs01@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:00:31 -0800
Subject: I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU,IT IS URGENT

>From The Desk Of: Chief Ojo Maduekwe CFR Minister, Foreign Affairs Ministry. Abuja Nigeria. Telephone:+2347094018883 E-mail:minister.foreign.affairs01@gmail.com Attn, I am Hon Ojo Maduekwe, Minister Foreign Affairs Ministry. My office monitors and controls the affairs of all banks and financial institutions in Nigeria concerned with foreign contract payments. I am the final signatory to any transfer or remittance of huge funds moving within banks both on the local and international levels in line to foreign contracts settlement. I have before me list of funds, which could not be transferred to some nominated accounts as these accounts have been identified either as ghost accounts, unclaimed deposits and over-invoiced sum etc. Your name was among the people expecting the funds to be transferred into their account, on this note; I wish to have a deal with you as regards to your unpaid funds. I have your file before me and i hope your data's are correct and un-tampered unless u reconfirms it. As it is my duty to recommend the transfer of these surplus funds to the Federal Government Treasury and Reserve Accounts as unclaimed deposits, I have the opportunity to write you based on the instructions I received 2 days ago from our president, ALAHAJI USMAN AMIR YARADUA (GCFR)Federal Republic of Nigeria and Senate Committee on Contract Payments / Foreign Debts to submit the List of payment reports / expenditures and audited reports of revenues. Among several others, I have decided to remit your contract sum following my idea that we have a deal/agreement and I am going to do this legally. MY CONDITIONS.. 1. The sum of USD$5M only will be transfered into your account by telegraphic Transfer (T/T), confirmable inless than 24 Hours,you are to recieve the funds through our corresponding bank (STAFFORDSHIRE GATE INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC) London - United Kingdom, In which you will transfer this funds single-handedly via there Online banking system to any nominated bank account of your choice,which an account number,pin code and password will be issued to you by the bank to access your account online and transfer your funds your self single-handedly into your nominated bank account. 2. This deal must be kept secret forever, and all correspondence will be strictly by email / telephone, for security purposes. 3. There should be no third parties as most problem associated with your fund release are caused by your agents or representative. If you AGREE with my conditions, l will advise you send to me the information’s below to enable this office proceed and finalize your fund remittance without further delays,so i can fix your name on the Payment schedule instantly to meet the three days mandate.I hope you dont reject this offer and have your funds transferred? 1) Your full name. 2) Phone, fax and mobile #. 3) Company name, position and address. 4) Profession, age and marital status. 5) Are you a property owner? 6) A scanned copy of Working I’d/Int'l passport. I wait your response. Regards. Hon Ojo Maduekwe CFR FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER. Telephone:+2347094018883 minister.foreign.affairs01@gmail.com

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