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

Fraud email example:

From: john ekoh <johnekoh1@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 14:25:42 +0100 (BST)
Subject: PROVIDE VITAL DETAILS.


Dear VICTIMNAME,
I received your mail well and understood its content. I wish to assure you here that we are going to be good friends in the future. Feel free with me. Anyway, I woul like to know how old are you? Are you married? As for me I am a 45 years old man married with 4kids to it.
Meanwhile you can go ahead in order to avoid delay to provide, the undermentioned information,
1]Your company name and its contact address or where you do not own a company, name and contact address
[2]Bank account details to allow for easy international transfer of funds
[3] Your direct contact telephone and fax numbers.
My own direct cell phone number is,234-803-4737377 which is always open for 24hrs.
As soon as I receive the said details,on my part, I will procure all vital paper works on your name in order to arrange an application for claim which shall be presented to the appropriate authorities here in Nigeria so as to secure the necessary payment release approval ORDER.
I am waiting for your positive response
Kind regards,
JOHN.


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