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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.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Ibrahim Musa" <ibrahimmusa112@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 01 Mar 2006 08:54:47 +0000
Subject: GOOD DAY

DEAR FRIEND,

I AM BARRISTER IBRAHIM MUSA, PRIVATE ATTORNEY TO THE LATE MRS STELLA
OBASANJO, WIFE OF THE NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, WHO DIED ON
THE23RD OF OCTOBER 2005 AT A HOSPITAL IN SPAIN.

SHE HAD TRAVELLED TO SPAIN TO UNDERGO SURGERY AND DIED FROM COMPLICATIONS
RESULTING FROM THAT SURGERY,
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/10/23/obasanjo.obituary/ AS THE
PERSONAL ATTORNEY TO THE DECEASED, I HANDLE MANY OF HER AFFAIRS, MOSTLY
PROPERTIES AND FUNDS BOTH DOMESTIC AND IN OVERSEAS.

IN THIS CASE MYCLIENT LEFT HUGE AMOUNT OF MILLION GB POUNDS STERLING AND SO
MANY OTHER INVESTMENTS WITH MY SIGNATURES ABROAD.
http://www.socialistnigeria.org/paper/2005/may/4.htmlVERY SOON MY CLIENT'S
FAMILY WILL CALL ME To ACCOUNT FOR MY CLIENT'S PROPERTIES AND FUNDS
DEPOSITED IN OFFSHORES.


AT THIS JUNCTURE, I SEEK YOUR CONSENT TO PRESENT YOU AS THE BENEFACTOR TO
MY LATE CLIENT'S FUND DEPOSITED IN EUROPE WHICH I WILL DISCLOSE TO YOU,
SINCE I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE DEPOSITING OF THE FUNDS. I WILL
PROCURE ALL NECESSARY LEGAL DOCUMENTATION THAT CAN BE USED TO BACK UP
ANY CLAIM WE MIGHT MAKE.ALL I REQUIRE YOUR HONEST,

CO-OPERATION TO ENABLE US SEEING THIS DEAL THROUGH. I GUARANTEE THAT THIS
WILL BE EXECUTED UNDER A LEGITIMATE ARRANGEMENT THAT WILL PROTECT YOU FROM
ANY BREACH OF LAW,I PROMISE THAT YOU AND I CAN SHARE THE MONEY 50/50%. ALSO
SEND ME A NUMBER WHERE I CAN CALL YOU.
I BELIEVE MY LETTER RECEIVED A FAVOURABLE CONSIDERATION AS
I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE ASAP.

REGARDS,
BARRISTER IBRAHIM MUSA ESQ


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