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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: "ENG.PAUL SMITH" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <engpaulsmith@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:52:01 -0700
Subject: ENG. PAUL C SMITH

ENG. PAUL C SMITH
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
E-MAIL: engpaulsmith@gmail.com
PHONE +234-8128788734
ATTEN: MD/CEO,

FUND TRANSFER

Having consulted with my colleagues, and based on information gathered from the Equatorial Guinea Chamber of Commerce, I am pleased to propose a confidential business transaction to our mutual benefit. My colleagues and I have in our possession instruments to transfer the sum of $35,500,000.00 into a foreign company's account in our favor.

This amount emanated as a result from an over-invoiced contract, executed, commissioned, and paid for about two years ago by a foreign contractor. We are therefore seeking your assistance in transferring this money to your account as it can only be remitted to a foreign account, and as civil servants, we are forbidden to operate foreign accounts.

The total sum will be shared as follows: 30% for the account owner (you) 60% for us 10% to settle any incidental expenses

We shall commence the transfer of funds immediately, as soon as you send the following documents/information through the above email address:

1. Your banker's name, address and tel/fax numbers
2. The account number and name of would be beneficiary.
3. Company/Personal address, telephone and fax number

Bear in mind that this is absolutely a private and personal deal, nonofficial; and should be treated with all measure of secrecy and confidentiality. Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter via my office e-mail address: engpaulsmith@gmail.com
Yours faithfully,

ENGR. PAUL C SMITH
Tel" +234-8128788734

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