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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: "Ampah Edward" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ampahedwards@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2012 21:34:45 -0500
Subject: INVESTMENT FUND UBA.

Dear Sir/Madam,
 
I hope this letter meets you in good health. I am in control of this funds ($15.5M) deposited in my bank by the Late Libyan leader Gaddafi.
The fund is being held under a Non-investment account without the Gaddafi Family's name as the late Gaddafi instructed that the funds be kept TOP SECRET until he decides what to do with it.
As the Gaddafi's Account Officer and manager of this branch of UBA Bank Ghana Limited, if you permitt i will activate the account with your name as the original depositor and then process outward remittance of the funds to you.
You will get 35% of the total funds for your role plus investment of my portion under a documented working agreement.
Please get back to me with your response alongside your physical,
 
Contact Address
Fax Number
Telephone line immediately and we will move quickly to consummate the deal.
With regards,
Ampah Edward
UBA Bank Limited,
UBA, ACCRA CENTRAL BRANCH.
26/09/2012.

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