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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: "bako"< service@hylem.com>
Reply-To: <bako.ahmed22@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:05:12 -0700
Subject: From: Ministry of Petroleun Resources.Federal Republic of Nigeria



From:
Ministry of Petroleun Resources.
Federal Republic of Nigeria

This is for your kind attention:
With a warm heart I offer my friendship, and my greetings, and I hope this mail meets you in good time. It will be surprising to you to receive this proposal from me since
you do not know me personally. I got your full information from the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce , industry,Mines and Agriculture Abuja Nigeria / the Nigerian Exchange
Information On-line Service on foreign business relations through my personal programmed search on the internet for a reputable company or individual to work with me
sincerely & confidentially, so i decided to contact you immediately
I am Bako Ahmed Director of Project and Engineering Department of the Ministry of Petroleun Resources,Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am making this contact with you
based on the need for an individual/company who will be willing to assist me in a money transfer business. This amount $25m represents the balance of the total contract
value executed for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) on behalf of the Ministry of Petroleun Resources by a foreign contracting firm,which has already
completed the project and handed same to the government, and paid accordingly leaving the above stated amount which we, the officials over-invoiced deliberately for our
own benefit.
Should you be willing to assist me in the transaction? Your share of the money will be 30% of the $25million, 70% for me and the other officials involved in this project.
To enable us commence the wire transfer process of the funds into your bank account, I will need your personal telephone number. This would enable me brief you
comprehensively on the project.
Best Regards,
Bako Ahmed






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