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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: "Kujo Sheriff" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alidusherif@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:01:11 +1000
Subject: Do get back to me....,,,

Hello,

My name is Mr. Alidu Sheriff, I am a Bank Manager. I have a deal or business proposal to the tune of ($10 Million Dollars) presently in bond form in an escrow account here in the bank branch, we shall share in ratio of 40% for you and 50% for me and 10% for every expenses we might incure. Everything about this transaction is legal, so if you are interested get back to me urgently.

When I hear from you, we then commence all arrangements and I will give you more details on how we should handle this project. Please treat this business with utmost confidentiality and send me the following as asap:

(1) Full names:
(2) Private phone number:
(3) Current residential address:
(4) Country of Origin
(5) Your Occupation:
(6) Age and Sex:

I look forward to receive your reply and confirmation of your full readiness,
Kind Regards.
Alidu Sheriff

Anti-fraud resources: