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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: "Turku." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <turku2turku@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2015 20:40:00 +0100
Subject: COMPENSATION

Dear Friend,
 
It's with deepest regret that I find myself seeking your assistance on a platform that has observed a high level of caution in the business world. As a result of time constraint, I could not think of a quicker means of reaching you other than emailing; please treat without prejudice. My name is M.B Turku, I am a freelance ethnic & oil spill conflict arbitrator. I have finally negotiated compensatory damages after three (3) months of arbitrating between the largest government Petroleum Corporation in Africa and three (3) local tribes over a case of oil spillage, containment and compensation as stipulated in the INTERNATIONAL OIL SPILL COMPENSATION ACT.
 
In one of our negotiation meetings, I made a deal with a team of oil spill investigators from the Petroleum Corporation, which gave us the opportunity to annex a fish rearing company in my report as one of the entrepreneurs affected by the oil spill caused by the activities of pipeline vandals. Statutorily, petitioners will soon will soon be smiling to the bank as the International Oil Pollution Compensation Bureau has approved compensatory damages for every petitioner in my report, thus the sum of US$20 Million is being allocated as Benefit-of-the-Bargain Damages for the fish rearing company respectively.
 
I must confess to you that the introduction of the fish rearing company was my idea, the said company doesn't exist; i am indirectly the petitioner, but its outstanding Benefit-of-the-Bargain Damages valued at US$20 Million cannot be received by me since i am the accredited arbitrator handling the peace accord. I humbly solicit your partnership to receive the Benefit-of-the-Bargain Damages on my behalf. I have worked out modalities to enable you claim this funds as a pisciculturist whose fishing lake was also polluted owing to the oil spillage. I am offering you 30% of the sum as your own gain. If you are interested, please email your phone number for more details.
 
Thanks in anticipation, I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Regards,
Turku.

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