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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: USA GOV <lucypeterson148@gmail.com>
Reply-To: michelleobama1480@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2023 14:40:33 +0100
Subject: USA GOV

--

Hello,
How are you doing?
I am Mr. Michael Desmond an external auditor of a reputable bank. In
one of our periodic audits, I discovered a dormant account, which has
not been operated for the past Five years. From my investigations and
confirmations, the owner of this account is a foreigner who died long
ago and since then nobody has done anything as regards the claiming of
this money because he has no family members who are aware of the
existence of neither the account nor the funds. I have secretly
discussed this matter with a top senior official here and we have
agreed to find a reliable foreign partner to deal with us although due
to his position he did not want to take an active part but as soon as
you follow my instructions everything will be successful because we
will be working hand in hand with him. With this purpose to do
business. with you, standing in as the next of kin of these funds from
the deceased and after due legal processes have been followed the fund
will be released to your account without delay and we will use it for
investment and to assist the less privileged in the societies because
if we left the fund with the government it will be fortified for
nothing and will be used to suppress the poor masses in the society.
On receipt of your response, I will furnish you with more details as
it relates to this mutual benefit transaction. Do contact me
immediately whether or not you are interested in this deal. If you are
not, it will enable me to scout for another foreign Partner to carry
out this deal. But if you are interested, contact former United States
VP, Michelle Obama through her email
address[michelleobama1480@gmail.com for more details as time is of the
essence in this business.
Best Regards,
MICHAEL DESMOND

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