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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "bizman" <barrister02@handbag.com>
Reply-To: h_adrinsson03@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 03:21:53 -0800
Subject: BEST REGARDS

Dear Sir/Madam

I HUMBLY WISH TO SEEK YOUR ASSISTANCE IN A MATTER THAT
IS VERY IMPORTANT AND NEEDS UTMOST TRUST AND
CONFIDENCE.I AM BARRISTER HASSAN ADRINSSON
, A BUSINESS
CONSULTANT AND CLOSE CONFIDENT OF ONE OF NIGERIA'S
MOST POWERFUL FAMILY.THE WIFE OF TOP GOVERNMENT
OFFICIAL WHO SERVED IN THE PAST MILITARY REGIME IN NIGERIA
WISHES TO MOVE OUT OF NIGERIA THE SUM OF US$30MILLION.
SHE WISHES TO INVEST THE AFOREMENTIONED SUM IN VIABLE INVESTMENT
OVERSEAS. FOR OVIOUS REASONS, MY CLIENT DOES NOT WISH
TO PLACE THIS FUND WITH ESTABLISHED FINANCIAL
INSTITUTION IN THEIR FAMILY'S NAME FOR SECURITY
REASON. IT IS HER DESIRE THAT THE DEAL BE HANDLED AS
QUIETLY AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY LEAKAGE
TO THE PUBLIC OR GOVERNMENT.SHE HAS THEREFORE
EMPOWERED AND INSTRUCTED ME TO LOOK FOR A RELIABLE
FOREIGNER WHO CAN ARRANGE AND RECEIVE THE MONEY IN HIS
ACCOUNT OVERSEAS AND ASSIST TO INVEST THE FUND PROPERLY
FOR THE FAMILY.
IF YOU AGREE TO ACT AS FUND MANAGER FOR MY CLIENT AND
HER FAMILY, I SHALL RELEASE THE SUM OF US$30MILLION TO YOU
IF YOU MEET MY REQUIREMENTS. THE MONEY IS AVALIABLE IN CASH
IN A SAFE TRUNK AND UPON A FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM YOU, I SHALL
LET YOU KNOW HOW YOU WILL RECEIVE IT.
YOUR COMMISSION SHALL BE DOWN PAYMENT OF 15% OF THE
TOTAL SUM, AND ANNUAL 10% OF THE AFTER TAX RETURNS ON
INVESTMENT FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS. THEREFORE, THE
TERMS SHALL BE VARIED.
SIR, IF YOU ARE CAPABLE AND WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN
THIS TRANSACTION, REACH ME ON MY EMAIL AS
SPECIFIED ABOVE SOONEST.IN ANY CASE, PLEASE KEEP IT
TIGHT SECRET.
BE INFORMED THAT THERE IS AN ARRANGEMENT GOING ON FOR
THE CONVEYENACE OF THE CRATES CONTAINING THESE MONEY
TO EUROPE SO YOU MUST BE READY
TO TRAVEL FOR THE CLEARANCE OF THE FUND.
WAITING TO HEAR AN URGENT RESPOND FROM YOU.
BEST REGARDS,
BARRISTER HASSAN ADRINSSON


___________________________________________________________

Book yourself something to look forward to in 2005.
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