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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: "Mr. Pius Atta" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <p.atta@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 12:13:54 -0400
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL ?

Greetings,
 
I am Pius Atta, a member of the Ghana National Petroleum Contract award tender board. I have the mandate of the
Chairman of the Board to seek your assistance to receive an amount of Thirty-Five Million, Five  Hundred and Fifty
Thousand United States Dollars (US$35.5M)  which will be utilized for investment purposes in your country.
 
You will be compensated with 25% of the total fund upon the successful transfer of the fund to your account, While
we in Ghana retain 75% of the fund. I shall give you more details regarding the fund and any other update you may
need when I receive a positive response from you.
Because of the sensitive nature of our position as public office holders, you are requested to keep this proposal
100% confidential. I will appreciate if you include your direct phone number in your reply mail.
 
I am looking forward to a successful business cooperation with you.
 
Sincere Regards,
Pius Atta.

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