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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: "Mr. Jim Ovia." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <oviam34@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:33:19 -0700
Subject: (ii) Are you truly Dead OR Alive?

ZENITH BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC.
Zenith Holdings Plc
8 Canada Square.
Victoria Island Lagos Airport
Road E14 5HQ. Nigeria.


Attention: Attention: Attention,

I know this letter will come to you as surprise one but I want you to read this with maturity. This day, one Mrs. Cynthia Edward, came to my office to let us know that you are DEAD, and before your death, you instructed her to come for the claim of your funds in the tune of US$8.5 Million that was long abandoned in your name with this bank (ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC) this is what we want to verify from you before we make the payment to who came for the claim.

(:I) Did you authorize Mrs. Cynthia Edward to come for your claim?
(ii) Are you truly Dead OR Alive?

If (NO) you are hereby advice as a matter of urgency to reconfirm the details of this message within 24hours, hence your funds shall be wired into her account without any more delay.

Lastly, you are advice to reconfirm the details of this message and get back immediately with these information\'s
Below..

1. Full name:................

2. Direct telephone number:...

3. Address:.................... ..........

4. Your personal identification to enable us confirms you are not dead.

This information\'s above must be provided for reconfirmation to Enable us make payment to you, hence, your funds will be remit/wire into her account as already provide to this management.

We wait for your urgent response today. You need to act very fast, because if this bank wait for your urgent reply within three working days and did not received any message from you, you will be consider dead, and your funds will be transfer to Mrs. Cynthia Edward.

Here is an account provide by Mrs. Cynthia Edward to this bank, are you also the one who ask her to provide this bank account to us?

Washington Mutual Bank
2075 S. Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
800 788-7000
Acct. name: Mrs. Cynthia Edward.
Type: Checking
ABA # 322271627
Acct # 1951204345
Amount: US$8.5 Million.

Furthermore, this bank discovered that you have been dealing with some bad eggs officials whom SCAMED some money from you without doing the right thing, Be advice to STOP further communication with them, your funds is now approved for payment, follow the right procedure now.

This message demand urgent attention, the bank is waiting to hear from you.

Regards,
Mr. Jim Ovia.
Head of Accounting Operations
(ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC)
Email: zenithplc@secretarias.com

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