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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 SIMON AKUVI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <simonakuvi@outlook.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2014 23:03:58 +0100
Subject: Goodday Kindly Contact Me Back (Urgent)

Dear Friend,
I am Simon Akuvi Director Of Audit Unit, ADB BANK.This is a very confidential proposition for you. On November 21st 2002, a  Brazilian Oil consultant/contractor with the Ghana Solid Minerals  Corporation,Mr.Mauricio Jose De Matos made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at USD8,000,000.00 (Eight Million Dollars only) in my branch.
Upon maturity on November 20th 2012 as his Credit Officer, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally i discovered from his contract employers, the Ghana Solid Minerals Corporation that Mr.Mauricio Jose De Matos died in an Air Crash.
Further investigations,and all attempts to trace his next of kin was  fruitless.
Again,I made further investigation and discovered that the deceased did not declare any next of kin or relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.
This sum of USD8,000,000.00 is still sitting in my Bank No one will  ever come forward to claim it.According to the International Banking ethics,codes and Laws, at the expiration of 2(Two) years, the money will revert to the ownership of the Ghana Government if nobody applies to claim the fund.
Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to the deceased. This is simple, I will like you to respond immediately with your full names and address so that we will prepare the necessary documents and affidavits that will put you in  place as the next of kin.
A bank account in any part of the world that you will provide will then facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of kin.The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the  ratio of 50% for me and some of my colleagues who are aware of this transaction and 45% for you and 5% for Expenses Incurred in the course of the transaction.
There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be done by my colleagues and with my position as the Director Of Audit  guarantees the successful execution of this transaction.
Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction.
Please send me your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy communication.You can as well reach me back on my private mobile number and email in reply back to me, here is my private phone number +233236823261 as well reply me back via this media.
You should observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall  require your assistance to invest my share in your country.Kindly get back to me urgently on the proceeding and more directive on this transaction.
Please Once again, do remain this transaction highly confidential please for the eye-brow, benefit and safety of this transaction in other for us to have  a successful deal.
May Almighy God bless you and your family.
Thanks and regards.
Simon Akuvi

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