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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. Peter Edward" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <peteredward@mail15.com>
Date: Thu, 15 May 2014 06:26:03 -0400
Subject: My Dear Friend, be my partner,

My Dear Friend, be my partner,

My name is Mr. Peter Edward I am a banker here in Ghana. I got your contact from the online data base. I need your help to transfer the sum of US$12,500,000.00 into your account as my foreign investment partner. The money is part of the profits made by our bank in the year (2012) in the branch where I am the manager. I have already submitted annual reports for the last years to my bank head office in Accra - Ghana, and they did not notice the excess profits.

Meanwhile, I deposited the US$12,500,000.00 in an escrow account without a beneficiary (Anonymous), to avoid any trace. I cannot be directly connected to this fund because I'm still working with the bank. So, I need your help to transfer this money to your country for you and I to share. I have the desire to invest my own share of the money in any good business venture over there in your Country. I wish to point out 10% of this money to be shared among the charity organization, the remaining 90%, you have 30% of this money as my foreign partner and 60% would be for me. There is no risk involved as all machineries have been put in place for success and a smooth conclusion. All I need from you is to stand as my foreign partner and I will present your name as the owner of the money to enable you provide a foreign bank account where the money will be transferred into. The intended transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect both of us from any breach of
the law.

However, if this business proposal offends your moral ethics, do accept my sincere apology. If on the contrary you wish to achieve this goal with me, please kindly get back to me with your interest for further clarifications.

Thanking you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.

Sincerely,

Mr.Peter Edward

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