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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: "JOHNSON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barristermelvine@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 09:47:34 -0700
Subject: REF: ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS, !!!!!

REF: ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION UNITED STATE  DOLLARS, 150,MILLION.)
FOR INVESTMENT.|
I am an Attorney MELVIN E.JOHNSON based in Monrovia here the capital of Liberia. This fund belongs to one of my clients, an ex-President of my  Country Mr. Charles Taylor. He asked me to get a reliable some One to help him invest this fund over there in your Country,
These said funds investment amount 150musd is been assigned by Mr. President Charles Taylor for investment allocation we have a lot of money to invest wisely under your care.10% of the total sum has been assigned as per your share. I Shall visit you with the wife of the president to your country for the investment. Once the funds hits into your account for the onward
investment. Kindly get back to me with the following information s of yours  to enable me start the  processing.
1. Your Full name & Age:-----
Contact Address:---------
Contact Telephone:-------------------
Occupation & Position:-------
Above all, I wish to assure you that the funds in question is not an act of  Terrorist Funding, neither Money Laundering nor
Drug-funding. Thus, the transfer will follow the normal protocol offunds transfer, backed up with  its papers so that you will not encounter any difficulties/problem with your Federal Monetary Control authorities. I await your urgent response.
Please contact me on my private email for security purpose (attorneymelvinejohnson90@gmail.com )
Thanks and God bless
Regards
 
 
ATTORNEY MELVIN E. JOHNSON

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