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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: "Michael Woo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <projectinvestmentbox1@aol.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 22 May 2017 23:11:40 +0530
Subject: INVESTMENT PROJECT

Dear Prospective Friend,
 
How are you and how is business in general?
 
I humbly request your assistance.An investment was placed under my management by Mr. Chen Shui-bian.the former President of Taiwan.
Mr.Chen Shui-bian has presented a subtle offer which will need the help of a partner like you to complete successfully. Mr. Chen Shui-bian is in a difficult situation and he must immediately relocate certain sums of out of private account(withheld). More so, this must be done in such a way that it must not be tied to Mr. Chen Shui-bian. The sum is currently deposited in the name of  an existing legal entity. Your role will be to:
 
[1]. Act as the original beneficiary of the funds.
[2]. Receive the funds into a business/private bank account.
[3]. Invest/Manage the funds for a period of 25 years.
[4]. Value of funds: US$49 Million Dollars.
 
Everything will be done legally to ensure the rights to the funds are transferred to you. If you agree to partner with Mr. Chen Shui-bian, he will compensate you with 20% of the total sum for your role as the beneficiary partner to the funds. Should you prefer I re-contact you with more express facts, you can send me your:
 
1] Full Names:
[2] Personal Profile:
[3] Daytime Telephone No:
 
Be advised to visit the following links to be better acquainted with Mr. Chen Shui-bian's current profile and personality.
 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8250099.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8233342.stm
 
You can email me on (projectinvestmentbox1@aol.co.uk) for further details, terms and agreement.
 
Sincerely,
Michael Woo

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