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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: "Mr. Stewart McDonald" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stewart_mcdonald03@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2016 08:21:48 -0800
Subject: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

Greetings,

I feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business. Though this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, I choose to reach you through it because it still remains the fastest medium of communication. However, this correspondence is private, and it should be treated in strict confidence

I am the Director Finance of, Falkland oil and Gas marketing company London UK, and by the virtue, as the Chief Financial Officer. I got your contact through a web directory search and decided to propose this business. Am seeking your assistance in remittance of, €45, 000, 000, 00 EUROS, (fourty five million Euros) to your account for private investment purpose, hence my request for your assistance.

SOURCE OF THE FUND:
The fund to be transferred into your account was accrued from an over-invoiced contract amount awarded for servicing of our depot and valves for storage of product all over our branches here in London. The contract which was originally valued for, €127, 000, 000,00. EUROS, was manipulated to read, €172, 000, 000, 00. EUROS, the extra, €45,000, 000,00. EUROS, is what i want to transfer to your account, the original contractors who executed the job had been paid all their contract bills remaining this €45, 000, 000, 00.EUROS.

DISBURSEMENT:

I have resolved that you take 40% of the total amount for your assistance in fronting you as a sub-contractor to claim the remaining balance of €45, 000, 000, 00.EUROS which is left now in our bank from the over invoice contract because it is impossible for me to claim the over invoiced amount here in London without your assistance as a Foreign Contractor. In addition 10% has been mapped out for any miscellaneous expenses incurred by me and you during this business while 50% will be my own share.

SECURITY:
All modalities to effect the payment and subsequent transfer of this money has been worked out, so this transaction is 100% risk free, though you are required to treat with top secrete, on your acceptance please send to me your personal details and your direct mobile phone number for speedy correspondence.

I am looking forward to doing business with you. Your prompt reply will be highly appreciated.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. Stewart McDonald
Director Finance,
Falkland oil and Gas marketing company, London UK.

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