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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: Lawyer Kofi Michael <officefbi27@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Lawyer Kofi Michael <lawer.kofi@yandex.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2015 10:53:28 +0900 (JST)
Subject: HI,


Attention: Card Owner,

I received an email from an unknown person trying to claim your funds
of 17.5 Million GBP Via ATM Card telling me you are dead.

But i am doing this by the instruction given to me by my superior for
the last time that if i don't hear from you at this time, i should go
ahead to award and dispatched the ATM Card and Document, ownership to
the new beneficiary after he had provided all the information needed
to effect the transaction.

But if you have anything as a prove (Scan Copy of your International
Passport or Driver's License) that you are still alive and
able-bodied,capable of completing the abandoned transaction, do not
hesitate to do so as soon as possible because the unknown person is
trying to pay for the requested Fees for the Released of your ATM Card
later today, but immediately i discovered it i called the (Tax
Officers Department) to stop the shipment of the ATM Card for now that
i will get back to them in a short period of time after i make my
findings and enquirers from you if really you are dead.

I bet you immediately you are very capable of completing this
transaction,i shall hand him over to the police and he will be
punished for all his misdeeds and actions.

I awaits your urgent response in this matter before the fund is
finally endorsed to the new beneficiary meanwhile you are to
re-confirm the information below so as not to delivered it to the wrong person.
1.(Scan Copy of your International Passport):

Meanwhile bear in mind that you are to pay the remaining balance of
$50 dollars for the released of your ATM Card immediately in order to
complete this transaction with you specifically because i am doing
this for your own good.

The fee of $50 should be sent via Wstern union......

Name of the receiver ......PETER ONYEK
Country ................ Benin Republic
City ............... Cotonou
Test Question ..........Card
Test Answer ..........Owner
Amount ..............$50.00 Only

Thanks and Do Have a Great Day Ahead As i hope that my email will be
followed immediately with a response!


Yours Sincerely,
Lawyer Kofi Michael

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