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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: Tony Gangi <tonygangi34@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Tony Gangi <tonygangi44@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2015 11:13:06 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Dear Friend.


DearFriend.
 
I am Tony Gangi Director of operation with bank ( BanqueAtlantique Benin), I am writing to request your assistance to transfer the sum of $5,500, 000.00(Five Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States dollars) into your accounts.

This fund belongs to late Mr. Ahmed Hassan Mussa a Lebanese business magnateand property consultant here in Benin Republic. The late Mr. Ahmed died in aplane crash alongside with his wife and only daughter on 25th December 2003,victims with Boe 727-type air plane belonging to African Transport Union (UTA).In this fatal tragedy with Beirut-bound flight, 110 persons died and Over 40others still reported missing, while 22 passengers survived, you may confirmthe event of the air crash through, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ africa/3353551.stm ) and since then the fund has beenin a suspense account and no one has ever come for the fund.

After my further investigation on his file, I discovered that late Mr. Ahmeddid not fill his next of kin name in his certificate of deposit, and the lawsguiding our bank stated that after the expiration of (15 years) if nobody comesfor the claim as the next of kin, the fund will be channel into bank treasuryas unclaimed fund.
 
Because of the static of this transaction I want you to stand as the next ofkin. Our bank will transfer this fund into your stated account if you followthe instruction that I will give you.
 
I have decided the sharing as following: 45% for you 45% for me 10% for anyexpenses that may come out during the transfer. The transfer is risk free onboth sides hence you are going to follow my instruction until the banktransfers the said fund in your account.
More details will be forwarded to you immediately you reply my mail throughthis my private email address:  (tonygangi7@yahoo.com) please reply immediately with yourtelephone contact for easy communication.
Thanks,
Mr.Tony Gangi

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