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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: M L <markinvestauditor1@yahoo.ca>
Reply-To: markfrancis6@myway.com
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 17:35:56 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: reply urgent



Dear Friend,=20
=A0
I am a director in the foreign affairs department of the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). I got your email during a Personal r=
esearch on the Internet and wish to use this opportunity to notify you of t=
he existence of a certain amount we wish to transfer Overseas for the purpo=
se of investments and importation of goods from your country.
=A0
In May 2007, a contract of sixty-six million United States dollars
($66,000,000) was awarded to a foreign company by my ministry. The Contract=
was supply, erection and system optimization of supper polyore200,000-bpsd=
, system optimization of 280,000-monax axial plants and the computerization=
of conveyor belt for Kaduna refinery. With the Consent of only the head of=
the contract evaluation department, I over Invoiced the contract value by =
thirty four million United States dollars ($54,000,000:00).
=A0
The contract has since been completed and the foreign company fully
paid off. But, in the office files and paper work, the company is still owe=
d USD54M representing the over invoiced amount. Because this amount is deri=
ved from the award and execution of a foreign contract, there is no way the=
money can be paid locally. That is why I am contacting you so that we can =
do the project together for our mutual benefit. We have concluded every nec=
essary arrangement to transfer this amount to a foreign account as the fina=
l phase payment for the said contract.
=A0
I solicit your assistance to enable us transfer the said amount into
your safe bank account and after we shall come over there to share the mone=
y with you. You can either provide us with an existing account or to set up=
a new bank account immediately to receive this money, even an empty a/c ca=
n serve to receive this money, as long as you will remain
honest to me till the end of this important business trusting in you
and believing that you will never let me down either now or in future.
=A0
We sincerely need an honest person to work with and have agreed to
share the money in the following percentages, 65% will be for us, 30% will =
be for you whose account is used to secure the funds and 5% will be used to=
settle every expenses incurred during the transaction like air tickets etc=
.. There is no risk involvement because applications will be made to the con=
cerned Federal ministries and parastatals with
official approvals given by the Federal government before the Central bank =
of Nigeria will be officially authorized to wire the funds to your nominate=
d bank account by telegraphic transfer.=20
=A0
Those involved over here are directors in the ministry, they know how best =
to effect the transfer and will come over there to collect their own share.
If you are interested, contact me via email indicating your full names,comp=
any/business name and address. Your direct telephone and fax numbers for ef=
fective communication. The name and address of the bank you will like us to=
deposit the money, the telephone and fax numbers of the bank, the account =
name and number etc. Everything has been arranged and I will send more info=
rmation about the business transaction to you as soon as I hear from you. F=
or obvious reasons, please keep the proposal top secret.
=A0
Kind regards,
Mark Francis=0A=0A=0A ________________________________________________=
__________________=0AConnect with friends from any web browser - no downloa=
d required. Try the new Yahoo! Canada Messenger for the Web BETA at http://=
ca.messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam