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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: ANDREWS VUFY<avufy@mcom.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2010 12:46:23 GMT
Subject: Urgent Attention


REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL COOPERATION

I write to you/your company, asking for your indulgence in re-profiling funds to
the tune of Twelve Million Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars
(US $12,650.000.00) which we want to transfer and keep safely for investment
purpose under your supervision. In other words, we would like you to receive the
said funds on our behalf. This Funds were derived from over-invoiced projects
awarded to foreign contractors by my committee, and presently the actual
contract cost have been paid to the original project executors, leaving the
balance in the tune of the said amount which we have in principle obtained
approval to remit overseas.

We have agreed to negotiate a reasonable compensation for your participation on
your response to this message. Please, contact me on andrewsvufy@mcom.com if this proposal is acceptable
to you for further discussions with the following information:

1) your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile
3) Company name, position and address:
4) Profession, age and marital status.

I wait in anticipation of your fullest cooperation.

Yours Sincerely,
Engr. Andrews Vufy
NEVER SEND SPAM. IT IS BAD.

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