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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: Bassey Codjo <basseycodjo@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: basseycodjo@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:55:33 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY !





Attn: Sir /Madam,
 
                                        INVESTMENT  OPPORTUNITY ! 
 
How are you today?  It might astonish you to read from me but  sure we will meet each other soon. I am  Mr.Bassey Codjo from sieria-leone but  resident in cotonou-Benin republic. I am Government consultants on geo-science and mineral resources. Due to my position in the government, I was unable to go in to personal investment.  There is a great opportunity for both of us and I want you to render assistance for me whereby I am going to pay you for your services.
 
 This transaction does not require any payment from you as all you need to do is just co-operate with me as my partner. The point is that there is a land in a remote village where we detected gold and as the Team Director on geo-science in my Department, I know the government does not have the facilities and interest in the Gold Mining. But what the Government and my president did was to issue Licenses to Foreigners and Expatriates to this mining site.
 
I was made head of the committee who will confirm the licenses issued to the Expert rates. The other members of the board are political appointee who does not have any experience in Geo-science. What I want from you is that I will sponsor you to apply for this License from the government and I will pay all the expenses. I will Register a company in your Name so that the license can be given to you in your name. After, I will also give you funds to start up the project and mining process. This does not take your time just agree to this sponsorship because of the nature of my job I am still working with the government i can not apply for it as the government will prosecute me but you as a foreigner, they will accept your application. I will sponsor everything and we are going to agree on your percentage.
 
The financier of this project was the former Bank director of  Central Bank Benin republic but retired  an old man of 96 years   This investment patnership will be between three of us,  This man have promised to  finance the project.he will release fund for us and before any commencement of the project we need to meet one on one. The man has agree to release the fund to you personaly we open a joint account in his present in bank physically and the bank official has aslo aware of  the project.This mean three of us will be in the banking hall  to open this account.
 
The agreement will be prepare by the old man lawyer as your proof and refrence before our meeting and your lawyer  can review the agreement for you before signing.  Once again I need to remind you deu to internet fraud.We don’t need any money from you. This is 100% risk free, maximum security and confidential also quarantee. This is a legal partnership venture. 

Do not forget to send me in your return e-mail your Names, Address and Telephone numbers to enable us talk extensively as regards this venture, You can reach me on +229-964-74844 .
 
Have a nice day... 
 
Regards,
Mr.Bassey Codjo .
basseycodjo@yahoo.com
+229-964-74844 .

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