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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: "Dr Mike Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mikewilliam2020@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 11:49:35 -0500
Subject: ASSISTANCE ON BILATERAL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

>From The Desk of  NNPC Board
Contract Award Tender Committee Members
NNPC Annex Headquarters Falamo.
Lagos Nigeria.
                                                                             URGENT ASSISTANCE ON BILATERAL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP.
 
ATTENTION: President\CEO.
 
I  Dr Mike Williams, on behalf of my other colleagues from different organs of Federal  Government of Nigeria (FGN) owned ministries decided to solicit your assistance as regards transfer of the above-mentioned amount into your bank account.This fund accrued from over invoicing of various contract awarded in my ministryNigerian National Petroliem Co-opration (NNPC) to certain Foreign  Contractors some years ago.
 
We,as holders of sensitive position in various ministries were mandated by the Federal Government of Nigeria to scrutinize all payments made to certain  foreign  Contractors, we then discovered that some of the contracts  commissioned were grossly over-invoiced either by omission or commission.
 
In the process the sum of US$38,5M (Thirty-Eight Million,Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars only)was found lying in NNPC suspense account After the foreign contractors has been paid their rightful dues for executing the said contracts.
 
We all then agreed that this over-invoiced amount should be transferred(for our own use) into a bank account to be provided by a trustworthy foreign partner like you, because we are government workers and the Code of Conduct does not allow us to operate foreign accounts.
 
Thus we are seeking your unwavering assistance that the total amount of US$US$38,5M can be speedily processed and fully remitted into your nominated bank account.We have agreed that 40% of the total sum goes to you for your involvement and the expenses you will incur to see the successful end of the transaction.
 
So far,much have been said and due to our sensitive positions,we cannot afford a sleep in this transaction neither can we give out identity as regards our respective offices,but whereby cordial relationship is established,smooth operations commences, you will be furnished with details of all you deserve to know.
 
I am at your disposal to entertain any question from you with respect to this transaction, so contact me immediately through my e-mail for  further information and procedure to execute this transaction.
 
In your reply please endeavor to send me the following information.
 
1.YOUR COMPANY NAME OR BUSINESS NAME IF ANY
2.FULL NAME AND PERSONAL ADDRESS.
3.YOUR PRIVATE PHONE, FAX NUMBERS.
4.YOUR BANKING DETAILS
 
Please,treat with secret,confidential and utmost urgency.
 
Yours sincerely,
Dr Mike Williams
Chairman Contract Award
Tender Committee Member

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