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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: "Mr. Felix Owen" <felixowen@videobank.it>
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2011 06:49:09 -0800 (PST)
Subject: PLEASE RESPOND



Dear Friend,

I am aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach to starting a
relationship but I believe knowing each other starts from a step of which I
believe I am not making a mistake exposing this very important business deal
to you?

Firstly, let me identify myself without any intention of equivocation, I am
Mr. Felix Owen, Financial Expert worked with Banks here in United Kingdom, I
will be happy if we can do business together in good faith and this proposal
will be of mutual benefit for us. I have a transaction deal in the tune of
$35,500,000.00 {Thirty Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars} to be
transferred to any possible safe account with your good assistance. I have
every possibility & advantages for the proceeds of this fund to be paid to
your account.

I had discussed this issue privately with the Top Bank Director and he
agreed to help and have instructed me to look for a foreigner who can be
trusted and capable to handle this transaction so that we can secretly move
this money out from UK immediately basing on Investments plans in your
Country. I guarantee that this will be executed under a concrete special
arrangement that will protect us from any breach of law. I will not fail to
bring to your notice that this transaction is hitch-free and you should not
entertain any fears as the required arrangements have been made for the
completion of this operation.

Your assistance as a foreigner is necessary because the management of the
bank will welcome any foreigner who has correct information to this account
which I will give to you immediately, We will start the transfer. I am only
contacting you as a foreigner because this money cannot be approved to a
local person here due to law in United Kingdom.

This money was secretly deposited and placed for an Investment before the
late holder died and none of his families or relatives knows about this
money, I came across this great fortune during an annual pre-audition. If
you can be trusted and capable to handle this business with me in full
confidence & trust, please send me the following information for
documentation preparation and also give me your word of confidence that we
will work as one team and I will get in return what belongs to me after
successful transmission this operation :

At the conclusion of this transaction, your total share will be 35% of the
total transfer sum,while 65% for me and my partners who is helping in making
this successful.

If you are interested, please forward the following information as below:

(1). Private phone numbers: .....
(2). Current residential address:.....
(3). Occupation: ......
(4). Age and Sex: ......

(5). Your Full Banking Coordinates as follows.
Bank Name: ......
Bank Address:......
Account No:......
Account Holder's Name:.....
Routing Number/Swift Code If Any.......

I look forward hearing from you.

Kind Regards,
Felix Owen
Director Auditing Department

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