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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. Richard Ahulu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <richrdahlu@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 21:41:44 -0700
Subject: PLEASE REPLY THIS MESSAGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Greetings,
 
My names are Mr. Richard Ahulu, From Takoradi Ghana staff of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana; I have a business proposal of (US$9,450,000.00), for you from my Bank.
 
If you are interested I shall provide you with more details and all the documents/certificates that will be needed in making this transaction a successful one. All I want from you is your co-operation as my partner to transfer this money to your bank account within Five (5) working days.
 
This transaction is legal without any problem and it is bank to bank transfer and 100% risk free. As soon as the Nine Million four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar [$9,450.000.00] is transferred to your bank account, you shall take 40%, while I take 60%. If you are interested to work with me reply my email so I can send you more details.
 
I wait for your immediate response.
 
My Best Regards,
Mr. Richard Ahulu.
 

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