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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: "ZENITH BANK OFFICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info_office@e-mail.ua>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:15:30 -0800
Subject: Re: RECEIPT OF YOUR $10.5M USD

ZENITH BANK PLC
Plot 34 Okota Road,
Lagos, Nigeria.
Email: info_zenithbankplc@e-mail.ua
Tel: +234 186237380
 
Attn: ,
 
Re: RECEIPT OF YOUR $10.5M USD
 
This is to intimate you that we have received the sum of Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars on your behalf which is currently floating in our suspense account due to the fact that you do not have any domiciliary account (Off-shore Bank Account ) with us.
 
We have started all necessary documentation towards the opening of a domiciliary account for you through which your fund will be transferred out of the country to any of your nominated bank account any where in the world.
 
Your are therefore required to forward the following immediately without any delay.
 
1. Your full Name
2. Name of your Next of Kin
3. Current contact address.
4. Your telephone number/  Cell phone number
5. Means of identification.
 
We expect to hear from you urgently.
 
Yours in service,
 
Mr. Benson Ogobia
Operation Manager,
Zenith Bank Plc

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