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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: "Lt General Hassan Mustapha" <ltgenmus3306@w6f2z6naz.homepage.t-online.de>
Reply-To: <ltgenhassanmustapha@centrum.cz>
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:48:27 +0100
Subject: Attn: Honorable Beneficiary

Attn: Honorable Beneficiary,
 
Based on our investigations, we wish to warn you against some Miscreants, Hoodlums and Touts who go about scamming innocent people by claiming to be who they are not and thereby tarnishing the image of this wonderful country. I am Lt General Hassan Mustapha (Rtd), National Security Adviser to the new Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. I am delighted to inform you that the contract panel which just concluded its seating in Abuja just released your name among listed beneficiaries to benefit from the Diplomatic Immunity Payment. This Panel was primarily delegated to investigate manipulated inheritance claims, contracts and over-invoiced payment as the effect has eaten deep into the economy of our dear country.
 
However, we wish to bring to your notice that your contract profile is still reflecting in our central computer as unpaid beneficiary while auditing was going on. Your payment file was forwarded to my office by the auditors as unclaimed fund, we wish to use this medium to inform you that for the time being, the Federal Government of Nigeria have stopped further payment through bank to bank transfer due to beneficiaries numerous petitions to United Nations against Nigeria on wrong payment and diversion of contract/inheritance funds to different accounts.
 
In this regards, we are going to send your contract part payment of $4.1 Million USD to you via our accredited shipping company and I have secured every needed documents to cover the money while the diplomat will get it delivered to you right in your door step. Note: The money is coming in 2 security proof boxes. The boxes are sealed with synthetic nylon seal and padded with machine. Please you don't have to worry for anything as the transaction is 100% risk free.
 
The consignment will be coming with a Diplomatic agent, who will accompany the boxes to your house address. All you need to do now is to send to me, your full house address and your identity such as, international passport or driver’s license and your mobile or fixed telephone number as the Diplomatic Agent will travel with it and will call you immediately he arrives to your country's airport. I hope you understand me.
 
Bear in mind that the diplomat does not know the original contents of the boxes. What i declared to them as the contents is Sensitive Photographic Film Materials for security reasons. I did not declare money to them please. If they call you and ask you the contents please tell them the same thing Ok. I will let you know how far I have gone with this arrangement. Lastly, I will secure the International Delivery Yellow Tag (I.D.Y.T) which will make him pass every custom checkpoint all over the world without any hitch. Confirm the receipt of this message and send the requirements to me immediately because your boxes are scheduled to leave as soon as we hear from you.
 
Best Regards,
 
Lt Hassan Mustapha (Rtd).
National Security Advisor to the President
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Tel: +234 806-9720870(direct line 24hours open)
 

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