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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: "Dr. Mark Douglas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mark_douglas200@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:41:04 +0100
Subject: RE: MONEY TRANSFER / INVESTMENT PROPOSAL

DR MARK DOUGLAS
Plot 277 Mohtala mohammed way
Ikeja Lagos.
DEAR PRESIDENT/CEO,
Sir,
RE: MONEY TRANSFER / INVESTMENT PROPOSAL
INTRODUCTION: l am DR  MARK DOUGLAS, a Civil Servant in
the Ministry of Health. l know this proposal will come
to you as a surprise because we have not met before
either physically or through correspondence.
I got your contact from our chamber of commerce here
in Nigeria and have no doubt in your ability to handle
this proposal involving huge sum of money.
THE SUBJECT: My father ALHAJI IDRIS DOUGLAS (Now Late)
was the Royal Head of my community, ELEME (an oil rich
town) in Nigeria. My community produces 5.8% of the
total crude oil production in Nigeria and 0.5% of the
Dollar value of each barrel is paid to my father as
royalty by the Federal Government. My father was also
the Chairman of ELEME Special Oil Trust Fund.
In his position as the Royal head and Chairman of the
Oil Trust Fund, he made some money which he left for
me as the only heir to inherit.The money is Fourty
Five Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars($45.5m).
This Money originated from the accumulated royalties
between 1976-1999 .
Due to poor banking system in Nigeria and political
instability as a result of past Military rules
(1985-1999) , he deposited this Money in a VAULTS
" with an open beneficiary to a security/finance company
pending when he would finish arrangement to
transfer it abroad. He was planning this when he
suddenly
died late last year of Heart Attack.
THE PROPOSAL: Just before my father died he called my
attention to the money and charged me to look for a
foreigner who would assist me in the
transfer/investment of the funds abroad. So l would be
very grateful if you could accept to help me achieve
this great objective. I promise to give you 25% of the
total funds transferred to your vital bank account as
compensation for your assistance. Five percent
(5%)would be set aside to take care of all expenses we
may incure during the transaction. To indicate your
interest, contact me urgently and confidentially
for more information and the roles you will play in
this business.
All the legal Documents concerning this
Money will be sent to you as soon as we agreed together.Send your reply through my private mailbox mark_douglas20013@yahoo.com
May the almighty God bless you.
Yours Faithfully
DR  MARK DOUGLAS

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