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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: Business Consultant <efemenaconsultant@gmail.com>
Reply-To: efemenaconsultant0@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2010 13:58:29 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Good Day.






INVESTMENT AND PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL
Attn,
Sir/Madam,
 
I am Mr.Efe Mena , business consultant based and doing business here in  West Africa. Presently, I have some interested Government official here in West Africa that is seeking for investment partnership with your organization. As a matter of trust they need someone to guide them explore other available investment opportunities in your country and they also need  your business knowledge and connection to successfully explore this venture. Can you be of any assistance to them?
 
I obtained your contact via personal internet search because of confidentiality we need for this money related business.I regret any form of perceived intrusion into your privacy.I represent the interest of a top government official here in West African country.  He is currently working for the government but hope to retire in two to three years from now.  I am  confidentially engaged by him and entrusted with the responsibility of locating a capable overseas partner with whom we can work to discretely move a large sum of money.
 
The said money was earned through private commission from government contracts, royalties from mining and exploration rights. Our goal is to transfer the money out of West Africa as soon as possible, in view of adverse political/economic situation here, then work with our overseas partner for setting up business or investing the money there in your country.We have concluded arrangements to move the funds through special transfer operation via a private security/finance company account.
 
Your role will be to provide the necessary assistance/logistics for transferring the (US$11,5 million) money to your  country. You are also expected to protect our interest over the money transferred and further assist with locating and  putting the money into profitable areas of investments on our behalf in your country.I have to remark that this is a serious  undertaking; despite the manner I contacted you for it, because we need confidentiality.
 
We are ready to pay you 20% as commission for the business after conclusion of the transfer successfully with your kind assistance.
 
I am looking for a mature and serious business person with the necessary capability and connections in his  country to work with on this proposal. If you can handle what I have explained above, I appreciate it, and please contact me  with your confirmation.
So reply for the assurance with this necessary information's to facilitate an easy communication.
 
THE REQUESTED INFORMATION'S BELOW.
==================================
 
1.FULL NAME..........
2.TELEPHONE NUMBERS/MOBILE/FAX.......
3.YOUR AGE......
4.YOUR SEX.........
5.YOUR OCCUPATION........
6.YOUR COUNTRY AND CITY......
7.YOUR HOME ADDRESS..........
8.MARITAL STATUS............
 
I await your confirmation of my message while praying that this will be the beginning of a long life partnership between us.
 
Thank you for your co-operation.Yours faithfully,
Mr.Efe Mena.
Business Consultant.
 



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