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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: "Mr.Joaquim Rafael Branco" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jbq2000@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2013 13:32:11 +0100
Subject: Awaiting your response with urgency !

Dear Sir,
 
Greetings . I am Joaquim Rafael Branco  of Sao Tome & Principe .  I am the immediate past Prime Minister ,under the Government of President Fradique de Menezes.Acting in my previous capacity as minister of natural resources, during the bidding for oil exploration rights in the gulf of guinea by several oil companies , I assisted a particular company to obtain one of the  licences .After their bid succeeded, they gave me 48 million$ in cash for my assistance.I cannot introduce or circulate this amount into the banking system of my country because :
 
1.My provisional duty as a minister allows me to earn less than $1000 equivalent of Dobra(our local currency)
 
2.Strict stipulations of the Bureau of conduct guidelines and regulations for Public/Civil servants.
 
3.Due to the intense competition during the bidding for the oil exploration licenses at the time there are now investigations into how the whole  process was handled.
 
4.Furthermore, Groups of persons' in the Government and opposition parties  have ganged up against me, with false allegations of an intention by me to contest the next presidential elections. This has caused disent and discontent in my party circles even though I am the present  leader, now prompting my decision to take flight with my family ,hence my soliciting your co-operation to take delivery of the funds into your custody for investment purposes .25%of the entire funds will be apportioned to you for your efforts and assistance.
 
I implore you to accord this transaction strict confidentiality and secrecy it deserves no matter what your decision may  be.
 
Awaiting your response with urgency !
 
Regards.
 
Mr.Joaquim Rafael Branco
Former Prime Minister and President of the Movement for the Liberation of
Sao Tom? and Pr?ncipe/Social Democratic Party (MLSTP/PSD)
Sao Tome & Principe

Anti-fraud resources: