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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: "Dr. Okoh Mathew" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:05:49 -0700
Subject: Attn: Honorable Beneficiary,

Attn: Honorable Beneficiary,
 
This is to notify you that after a brief meeting on Monday 2nd of August 2010 with The President, Accountant General of the Federation, Office of the Senate House, and House of Representatives concerning foreign debt release programme of the FGN Final Payment Gazzeta as enshrine in the 2010 Budgete.
 
Your payment file has been approved among the listed Contractors that must be paid with this Fiscal Payment Quarter, final Payment Pre-requsite approval has been granted on your favor to pay you the sum of $10.5m as part payment of your over due contract entitlement.
 
The payment will come to you  via your requested means, therefore you are to re-confirm  immediatelly the following;
 
1) Your Full Name.
2) Phone, Fax and Mobile #.:
3) ResidentialAddress#:
4) Occupation and Age:
5) Profession, Age and Marital:
6) Working I'd / Int'l passport.
 
Your immediate respond will expedite the unconditional release of your payment with the approved instruments.
 
Best Regards
 
Dr Mathew Okoha

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