419 scam: "office of the presidency" <info@presidencyoffice.org> Re:Great Opportunity for you.

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "office of the presidency" <info@presidencyoffice.org>
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:03:07 -0400
Subject: Re:Great Opportunity for you.

Hello My friend,

This is to inform you that the newly appointed minister of finance Dr.Ngozi
Okonjo Iweala will be coming to my home town on Wednesday this week to pay
visit to my father who is the King of Yoruba land and i would love to go and
meet with the minister in my home town with your payment file for her
signature,because immediately she pend her signature on your payment file
nothing will ever withhold your payment any longer,her signature is all you
need at this time and i know with the help of my father, she will have time
to look into your payment file and sign on it for immediate release your
approved part payment,i will need to go with a gift for her on your behalf so
that she will be happy to listen to me on your behalf ,and with that am 100%
sure that you will receive your part payment immediately.I believe sending
the gift from your side at this time will delay me in meeting her face to face
this coming Wednesday,it is better you send usd$200 let me use it to buy her a
gift and package the gift with your name and present to her on your
behalf,with that i can guarantee you that your problems are over and you must
receive your payment immediately,because Mr.president has given her all the
power to pay any genuine beneficiary with Nigeria Government,based on her
reputation with World bank group.Send the usd$200 with below information asap
so that i can go and get her the gift asap and package it properly with your
name on it,so that immediately i meet with her,i will present your gift and
your payment file to her at the same time.send it by western union or money
gram money transfer.

Receiver Name:SAMMY JOHNSON
Location:ABUJA NIGERIA
Test question:GOOD
Test answer:NEWS

I wait your urgent reply with mctn,senders name and address,i don't want you
to miss this great opportunity and please don't forget me when you receive
your payment because you must receive your payment immediately she recommend
you to our official paying bank.

Thanks
Prince Tokumbo Olabisi

Anti-fraud resources:

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