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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: idris aku <idri_aku2001@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2006 13:25:49 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: VERY URGENT


Dear VICTIMNAME VICTIMNAME,

Thanks for your mail and the content well noted. How are you and your family? Hope you and your family are well.

I got your contact information through contact directory.

My friend, this transaction is real, genuine and entirely risk free. The fund in question was deposited by my late dad before he die. He was the minister of sport federal republic of Nigeria until his sudden death. When my late father died, I wrote a letter to the security company through the help of my lawyer to move the fund out of Nigeria to theie affilite office. The security company transfered the fund to their affiliate office.

As soon as the fund was transfered out of Nigeria, I decided to contact you to enable you go to the security company to sign for the release order and receive the fund. My lawyer will obtain some relevant documents that will empower you claim the fund at the security company. Those documents will make you the beneficiary to the fund.

What I need from you now is to be 100% trust and sincere with me.

You should send me the following information to enable my lawyer obtain the documents at the high court.

1) Your full names.
2) Your address.
3) Your telephone number.

Thanks for your understanding and co-operation.

Waiting for your urgent response.

Yours sincerely,

Idris.M.Aku.


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