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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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Fraud email example:

From: "william kings" <engetra@msn.com>
Reply-To: williamking2005@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2005 13:41:52 +0000
Subject: LET DO BUSINESS

FROM THE DESK OF MR WILLIAMS S. KINGS
NIGERIA NATIONAL PETROLEUM COPORATION
FALOMO, IKOYI-LAGOS NIG.

Dear,

I am the chairman of the contract award committee,federal ministry of
petroleum resources, Nigeria I am in search of an agent to assist us in the
transfer of TWENTY MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS. And
subsequent investment in properties in your country.You will be required to:
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas of investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.
If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 20% of the total
sum will be offerred to you. PLEASE SEND REPLY TO INDICATE YOUR WILLINGNESS
IN ASSISTING US SO
THAT I WILL DIRECT YOU ON WHAT NEXT To DO.INCLUDE YOUR DIRECT TELEPHONE
AND FAX NUMBERS IF YOU ARE RESPONDING.
THANKS FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED ASSISTANCE.
YOURS SINCERELY,

MR. WILLIAMS S. KINGS
Chairman of the contract award committee(CCAC)


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