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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: "Prof. Maurice Iwu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <iwumaurice@rocketmail.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:06:38 -0800
Subject: Read and Reply Urgently.

Dear Partner to be,
 
I am sorry this message may come to you as a surprise. My name is Prof. Maurice Iwu the Former Chairman of Independent  National Electoral Commission (I.N.E.C). During my tenure in office by 2004 to 2009, the Federal government of Nigeria mapped out a huge sum for me to conduct a credible Election.
 
My Election brought Chief Olusegun Obasanjo into power as the President of Fedearl Republic of Nigeria. When I tried to context for the Presidency last year 2011, my close friends locally and internationally advised me to hold on to my plans. Having accepted their advise, I decided to invest the money outside my country. And I made a reasonable sum during my tenure because all the politicians were coming bribing me to favour and I am thinking of investing it so that I can make out something as profit out of it before the next General Election which is in 2015 as I am planning to run for President by then.I am soliciting for you or and your company acceptance in receiving the fund hence you are into production and sales. This is a private arrangement which I wouldn't like it to enter into second ear for security reasons.
 
My financial Attorney is privy to all these information hence he knows wherever my funds are. I have a pilot friend who have accepted to assist me in bringing the fund to your country. Every arrangement have been concluded about the safety and shipment of the fund to your country. All expenses will be handled by myself until the arrival in your country. All you will do is to receive the money and invest it into a profitable venture that will be beneficial to both of us.
 
The amount I saved is $75.8 Million (Seventy Five Million Eight Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) and If you are interested to receive this fund, all you will do is to settle for the Clearing and Non Inspection Charges there in your country and the fund will be delivered to you for investment purposes only.
 
The ratio of sharing will be between you and me the moment you confirm receipt of the cash.This will be by Diplomatic Cash Payment Procedure (D.C.P.P). Your urgent response to this proposal is awaited . Give me your telephone number for more explanation.
 
Please keep this within you.
 
Yours truly,
 
Prof. Maurice Iwu
Ex-Chairman,
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Anti-fraud resources: