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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Investigation Officer." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wudeptoffice1@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 10:35:22 -0700
Subject: CONTACT MR LAWRENCE PETERSON.

Attention :Beneficiary,

After proper and several investigations and research at Western Union and Money Gram Office, we found out that many good citizen from different countries have been sending money through Western Union to Nigeria and other countries, this proves that peoples has been swindled by those unscrupulous persons by sending money to them through Western Union & Money Gram in the course of getting one fund or the other.

Right now we are working hand in hand with Western Union & Money Gram to track every fraudster down, do not respond to their e-mails,letters and phone calls any longer as they are scammers and you should be very careful to avoid being a victim to fraudsters any longer because they have nothing to offer you but to rip-off what you have worked earnestly to earn.

In this regard a meeting was held between the Board of Directors of The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) And (F.B.I) Federal Bureau OF Investigation and as a consequence of our investigations it was agreed that the sum of Seven Hundred And Fifty Thousand US Dollars (US$750,000.00) should be transferred to you out of the funds that Federal Government of Nigeria In collaboration with the United State Of America has set aside as a compensation to everyone who have by one way or the
other sent money to fraudsters in Nigeria and other countries,

***Please note that we will no longer be liable for any loss, cost or expense whatsoever, suffered or incurred by You in connection with the fraudsters.

Be warned!

We have deposited your fund at western union Money Transfer agent location EMS Post office Lagos Nigeria, We have paid for the registration and
transfer fee and for security reasons we have also insured your fund to avoid misappropriation.

Contact the Western Union agent through this email address stated below;

Mr. Lawrence Peterson
Email: wudeptoffice1@yahoo.com



Yours sincerely,
Kathy Owens,
Investigation Officer.

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Please note that e-mails, letters and phone calls are currently being made to unsuspecting persons by fraudsters claiming to have access to their funds. Every day, people throughout the world are falling victim to scams of one kind or another. It could be an unexpected prize draw or lottery win, or a chance to invest in an exciting new money-making or investment programme . But remember – if it sounds too good to be true, it is probably a scam.In the circumstance, we unreservedly advice you to dissociate yourself from all correspondence and transactions entered into based on evidently fraudulent and fictitious claims.
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