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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: ericobieche min <ericobieche@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: eric_obieche006@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 12:20:24 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: PLEASE HELP ME I AM 23 YEARS OLD


PLEASE HELP ME I AM 23 YEARS OLD
 
From Eric Obieche
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
West Africa.
 
Dear One,
 
  I am Eric Obieche,the son of Late Dr Federick Obieche from Ivory Coast in West Africa.I want to use this media to ask for your help in transferring my inheritance to your country. I will be so glad if you can allow and lead me to the right channel towards your assistance to my present situation now. I'm aware that this might sound strange to you but please I beg you will handle this matter with the most urgency.
 
  It is my desire to contact you based on honesty and sincerity to assist me in transferring $7,500,000(seven million five hundred united state dollars) which I inherited from my late father Dr Federick Obieche who was a Gold merchant based in Accra and Abidjan to your country for investment.My late father died during last year's rebels attack for the presidential election in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.He was attacked along side my mother on the way way back home from my Daddy's office.Before his death,he told me that he deposited this money in a bank here in my country with an agreement that nobody can withdraw from it until it is being transferred into a foreign partner's bank account which I shall nominate as his next of kin.
 
  I am motivated in contacting you and hope to gradually build trust, relationship and confidence in you as I get to know you better.You will have to assist me in coming over to your country as soon as the transfer is completed for me to start up a new life with you and continue with my education while the money will be invested in a lucrative business in your country.
 
 
  I am willing to offer you 15% of the total money for your effort input after the successful transfer of this money and investment. Indicate your interest towards assisting me by sending your phone number,fax number,home and office address to me so that I can communicate with you at anytime.I will also appreciate it if you can send across your photo for a better recognition. I will also send across my photo and phone number as soon as you reply this email.  urgently reply me with My private e-mail address for security reason ( eric_obieche006@yahoo.com )

 
I will be waiting to hear from you soon
Thanks,
Yours sincerely
Eric Obieche



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