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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: "obi eze" <obieze12@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: obieze5000@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2005 09:38:17 -0400
Subject: Tel;234 8029305328

Tel;234 8029305328
Nigeria National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC)
Block 708b falomo close.
Victoria Island.
Lagos Nigeria.
ATTN:Sir/madam,
I am Mr Obi Eze 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 FIFTY 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 Obi Eze.
Chairman of the contract award committee(CCAC)


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