419 scam: Amir Afig <mr.afig703@msn.com> CONFIDENTIAL

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "any lucrative business in your country" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "consignment " (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Amir Afig <mr.afig703@msn.com>
Reply-To: amirafig@voila.fr
Date: Sat, 28 May 2011 09:19:10 +0100
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Friend,

I am indeed sorry for contacting you through this means. However, I assure you that it is confidential and genuine. I am Amir Afig from Burkina Faso the Foreign Affair Director Eco-Security Company Burkina-Faso. I am sure you are aware of the current war in my country, Libya. As a consequence, many assets and funds belonging to Col. Gaddafi's family and government officials are being frozen by western government, as you can see on the following links:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/27/gaddafi-family-assets-frozen-queen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WCp5rxNa1k

We know also that many families have lost a lot and are losing more on a daily basis and I need your help to secure some of these funds because these are hard-earned money. There funds are proceeds of contracts executed by the family. Examples are BP’s US$900M Libyan oil exploration contract in 2007, shares in Juventus Football Club, Enid: the Italian oil giant, and Pearson: the parent company of Penguin and Financial Times. Also some money was made from investments in numerous financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and the Carlyle Group.

In order to ensure that all their assets are not frozen illegally by the western government, the original depositor who died as the result of war in Libya moved some money out through diplomatic security means as a consignment and deposited it in a Security Company in Burkina Faso , where they were registered as personal effects. Consignments with the sum of (US $29.3, million) I want you to help me and put a claim over it. Please note that further details will be made available upon proper understanding and agreement. The fund have been deposited in Burkina Faso since 1998 please we can us this opportunity and claim it I have all the useful information and the deposit certificate with me here. All I need is a foreign partner so that I will release all the vital information to execute the deal, if you follow up my directive advise the fund will be release to you within 10 to 14 working days,

I shall offer you 35% of the total sum and you will also help me invest the other 65% of in any lucrative business in your country. Serious negations are currently going on for peace to return to Libya . I should be able to travel afterwards and probably meet you. I guarantee you that this venture is risk free giving that the funds are certified clean and the services of a qualified Solicitor from your country will be retained. If you are interested, kindly get back to me for further details. Otherwise, please delete this email and I say thanks for your time.

Yours sincerely,
Amir Afig

Anti-fraud resources:

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