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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: "Erik Madu" <erikmadu52@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: ericmmadu@myway.com
Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2005 13:47:44 +0000
Subject: URGENT

FROM THE DESK OF:
DR.ERIK MADU.
ACCOUNTANT.
FIRST BOND BANK OF NIG. PLC.,
V/ISLAND LAGOS.

ATTN:SIR/MA

I am Dr.Erik Madu. an accountant with the FIRST BOND BANK OF NIG. PLC.
and I need your assistance in remmitting a huge ammount of money to your
bank account this money which originally belongs to Mr. Charles Fredrick a
national of your country who until his death was an employee with Shell Oil
Company in Nigeria,he died in Plane Crash with
members of his families 5 years ago,since then we have made several
enquiries to your embassy to locate any of the extended relatives and this
has proved unsuccessful.

After several unsuccessful attempts I decided to track his name over the
Internet to locate any member of his family. I have contacted you to assist
in repatriating the money leftbehind by Mr.Charles Fredrick declares it
unserviceable.

Note that after final discusions with one of my superior in the TELEX
DEPARTMENT we arrived at contacting you as the next of kin to claim this
fund into your nominated bank account before the account is declared
confiscated,note also that this transfer will be concluded within the next
(7) seven official working days.

I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so
that the $15million dollars can be remmitted to youur account and
then we can share the money,25% to you and 70% for us, while 5% willtake
care of all expenses that might be incured on the course of the transfer.
All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal
through.

I advise that you send across to me your contact address,direct phone and
fax number for prompt communication, and I guarantee you that this
transaction will be executed under a legitimate atmosphere that will protect
you from any breach of transaction / law.

Regards,
DR.ERIK MADU.
ACCOUNTANT.
(FIRST BOND BANK OF NIG. PLC).


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