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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: "Mr. Michael Alfred" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrmichaelalfred@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:36:11 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT/BUSINESS PLAN

Mutual Business Consulting Ltd.
Biz-Consultant & Project Management (RC879,853)
Plot 247, Adeola Hopewell Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
INVESTMENT/BUSINESS PLAN
Dear Friend,
I humbly wish to seek your assistance in a matter that is very important and needs utmost trust and confidence. I am Mr. Michael Alfred, a business consultant and close confidant of one of Nigeria's most powerful family. The wife of top human right activist and former Attorney general who served in the past government in Nigeria wishes to move out of Nigeria the sum of US$21.2million. She wishes to invest the aforementioned sum inviable investment oversea.
For obvious reasons, my client does not wish to place this fund with established financial institution in the family's name for security reason. It is her desire that the deal is handled as quietly as possible without possibility of any leakage to the public or Government as they have suffered a great loss in the past. She has therefore empowered and instructed me to look for a reliable foreigner to clear/claim the money from were it is presently and receive the money in his or her account oversea, Also assist to invest the fund properly for the family as there fund manager.
If you agree to clear/claim the money and also act as a fund manager for my client and her family, I shall arrange to release the sum of US$21.2Million to you if you meet my requirement and upon a favourable response from you, i shall let you know how you will receive it.
Your commission shall be 20% of the total sum. And annual 10% of the after tax returns on investment for the first five years. Therefore, the terms shall be varied.If you are capable and willing to participate in this transaction, kindly reach me as soon as possible You are required to also send your full names, address, direct phone and fax number for more efficient communication. In any case, please keep it a tight secret.
I await your prompt reply.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Michael Alfred
Tel: +2348051930365

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