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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: DR JOHN KOFFI <JOHNKOFFIA@SIFY.COM>
Reply-To: johnkoffia1@ibibo.com
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:18:32 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: WITH DUE RESPECT CAN YOU HANDLE THIS? ?

Dr.JOHN KOFFI Auditing and Accounting Unit Foreign Operations Department African Development Bank, Nigeria Branch Republic of Nigeria, With Due Respect, Dear, i am Dr. JOHN KOFFI the Director in charge of Auditing and Accounting section African Development Bank Nigeria Branch and also Chairman of Investigating an Auditing Department of this Bank. With due respect and regard, I have decided to contact you on a Business Transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us and our families at the end of this transaction.During our Investigation and Auditing in this Bank, my department came across a very huge sum of money belonging to one Deceased who died on Egypt Air Flight 990. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm. As the fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank without any claim of the fund in our custody either from his family or relation because he did not indicate any next of kin to this account.The amount in the dormant account is Sixteen Million five hundred thousand United States Dollars (US$16.5m) .As it may interest you to know, I got your contact from the Chamber of Commerce on foreign business relations here in Nigeria Branch though I did not disclose why i needed a foreign contact and only told the director on seat it was for retirement and investment purposes. Meanwhile as a Senior Staff in this bank, and the Director of Auditing and Accounting, I have in my possession all the necessary documents to perfect this deal by making you the bonafide next of kin/Partner whom this money will be transferred into your account. I need your assistance and co-operation to get this deal done. Because as a foreigner, you stand a better position to be presented through documentation as the next of kin/Partner since the deceased is also a foreigner, this is the reason why I could not do this deal alone as a staff of the bank as well. I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free. On smooth Conclusion of this transaction, you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum as gratification, while 10% will be set aside totake care of expenses that may arise during the time of transfer and also telephone bills, while 60% will be for me and my partner. Please, you have been advised to keep this 'Top Secret' as we are still in service and intend to retire from service after we conclude this deal with you. I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm the money in your bank account. And I will come over to your country for subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated and further investment, either in your country or any country you advice us to invest in. All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when I hear from you. I suggest you get back to me as soon as possible stating your wish in this deal.I am expecting your urgent reply as soon as you receive this message. God bless you And your family. Dr. JOHN KOFFI

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