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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: "REV. JOHN W.CLIFFORD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wtelex.foreignoperatio@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 18:36:29 -0700
Subject: BE CAREFULLY READ THIS AND SEE WHY YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVE YOUR LONG OVER DUE FUNDS AND GET BACK TO ME

Attn: Beneficiary
 
Sometimes, I do wonder if you are really, really with your senses. How could you trust people and at the end you will loose your hard Earned money, or are you being deceive by their big names? The Impersonate on many offices, claiming to be Governor, Director/Chairman of one Office or the other. Their game plan is only just to extort your hard Earned money. Now, the question is how long you will continue to be deceived? Sometimes, they will issue you fake check, introduce you to fake Diplomatic delivery, un-existing on-line banking and they will also fake wire transfer of your fund with Payment Stop Order etc.
 
Anyway, by the virtue of my position I have been following this Transaction from inception and all your efforts towards realizing the Fund. More often than not, I sit down and laugh at your ignorance and that of those who claim they are assisting you, it is very unfortunate that at the end you loose. Although, I don't blame you because you are Not here in Nigeria to witness the processing of your payment in Nigeria.
 
The problem you are having is that you been told the whole truth about this transaction and it is because of this truth they decided to Be extorting your money. The most annoying part is even fraudsters have really taken advantage of this opportunity to enrich them selves at your expense.  Those you feel are assisting or working for you are your main problems. I know the truth surrounding this payment and I am The only person who will deliver you from this long suffering if you will abide by my advice.
 
Finally, you will receive your payment through a scrutinized Programmed ATM CARD or bank to bank any of your choice anywhere in the world but you has to keep this communication Very, very confidential for my own safety and for the security of your Funds. Please I beseech you to stop pursuit shadows and being deceived.
 
Feel free to contact me immediately you receive this mail so that I can explain to you the modus-operandi guiding the release of your Payment. Do not panic, be rest assured that this arrangement will be guided by your Embassy here in Nigeria, with the assistant of the Nigerian Police Force and Economic and Financial Crime Commission.
 
N/B: You are urgently requested to forward your International Passport Copy, your direct contact information or Driver's License, the name of your bank and bank information For submission to the Nigerian Police Force for issuance of Police clearance report which is the hindrance for your non  recieval of your fund and will be signed and Endorse by your Embassy here in Nigeria.
 
Contact me upon the receipt of this mail if you wish to receive your fund and stop wasting your hard earn money.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Yours faithfully,
 
Rev. John  W. Clifford
+2347042151319
Director Telex/Foreign Operation (OB).

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