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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: "INFO DESK." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <abjenoikelag@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2016 03:38:25 +0100
Subject: YOUR LETTER.

Dear Sir/Madam,
Have you maintained cordial banking relationship with your bankers over the years? could you receive US$20M in your bank account without the authorities raising eyebrows? I have mediated the compensation-peace accord between three (3) Crude Oil Exploration companies in sub saharan Africa and five (5) tribes in the oil rich Niger-Delta region over the degradation of their ancestral land as a result of the exploration activities by the Oil companies.
I am desperately in need of a new partner to finalize a dear as I was ripped off by my partner who disappeared upon confirming the deposit of US$30M in his account a week ago. The final payment schedule which is PAIV-batch ' C ' has been announced; the category of my clients for this payment are 'Individual Victims' of the Oil spills and I have three days to tender another account for onward payment.
 
I am an ethnic conflict Analyst by training, and as a native interpreter, I also work as a freelance mediator. Please, do not discredit my proposition because of the manner it came to you; In lack of better options owing to time constraint, regrettably, I decided to adopt this indecent means to solicit for your assistance to seal my unfinished deal. Be kind to get back to me if you are interested, I will discuss your remuneration, and the modality in my next letter.
 
Thanks in anticipation, I look forward to rearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Regards,
Turku.

Anti-fraud resources: