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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: "DR MICHAEL IRAGBOR" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:22:18 -0700
Subject: FROM DR. MICHEAL IRAGBOR.

Good day my dear friend.

Sincerely speaking, it is indeed my pleasure to write this letter to you which I believe will be a surprise to you as we have not met before. I am deeply sorry if I have in any way disturbed your privacy and please forgive this unusual manner of contacting you, but this particular letter is exceptional and of very private nature. You might have doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email because of the fact that so many individuals have taken advantage of Internet to perpetuate their nefarious activities, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition but please I will appreciate if I am given benefit of doubt. There is no way for me to know whether I will be properly understood, but it is my duty to write and reach out to you.

I am DR. MICHEAL IRAGBOR, an accountant with DEUTSCHE BANK NIGERIAN BRANCH. The business I am about to introduce to you is based on sheer trust and with a Sense of purpose. I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the sum of US$27.5 Million (Twenty Seven Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand U.S. Dollars). The money left behind by late MR. MARCUS SAMUEL who had an accident with his family on the 11st of December 2003. Mr. Marcus Samuel, his wife and their two Children were involved in a car accident in a remote village called Kuru near Jos in Plateau State of Nigeria and all occupants of the car unfortunately lost their lives. Mr. Marcus Samuel who was owner of oprichter van de Shell Transport and Trading Company and he was big customer to our Bank before him, his wife and their two Children were involved in a car accident in a remote village called Kuru near Jos in Plateau State Since then I have made several enquiries to his embassy here in Lagos-Nigeria to locate any member of MR. MARCUS SA

Now the management has issued a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account frozen. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now, I seek your consent to present you to our bank as the next of kin to the deceased since you are a foreigner so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$27.5 Million could be paid to you and then you and I will share the money 50% for me and 50% for you. I decided to link you to stand as Mr. Marcus Samuel’s relative / next of kin in order to claim this money since you are a foreigner like him and I will like to invest my share in your country's stable economy.

All I require is your honest co-operation to see this deal through. I guarantee you that this transaction will be executed under a legitimate and legal arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of the law.

If you are interested in this deal, kingly get back to me through email with your complete information as follows: Your full name, your address, your Telephone and Fax numbers.

Best regards,

DR. MIKE IRAGBOR

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