419 scam: "Mr Christopher"<Mr_Christopher@politician.com> Greetings!!!

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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:

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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "diplomatic delivery"
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "(efcc)" (This name is often mentioned in money recovery scams (re-scam): the real EFCC does not contact victims to offer to get their money back because that is near impossible. )
- "diplomatic delivery" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Christopher" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Mr_Christoher@outlook.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2015 01:37:24 +0100
Subject: Greetings!!!

Dear Sir,
I am Mr.Christopher,Personal Assistant to one of the Nigerian politician presently serving as a Minister in our country Nigeria.
Following the Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_general_election,_2015
As you can read about our general election is coming up soon on the 14th of this month February 2015, in order to have a change of Government. My Boss who is serving as a minister in the pressent government wants to move-out the sum of US$85 Million(Eighty Five Million United States Dollars)out of the country for investment purposes in your country.
Considering his very strategic and influencial position, he want the transaction to be strictly confidential as possible. He further wants his identity to remain undisclosed at least for now, until the completion of the transaction. Hence our desire to have an overseas agent/partner.
Since he is presently serving, he does not want to be openly linked to it to avoid wrath of the Enconomic and Finacial Crimes Commission(EFCC)Agency,Hence he instructed me to seek for a reliable Foreigner/Overseas colleague to partner with in this transaction. Consequently,this is why I have decided to contact you and to inquire if you would agree to act as our Foreign/overseas Partner in order to actualize this transaction and helping us secured the money in your country for investment establishement on our behalf.
And of which, a Government diplomatic delivery agent has fully been arranged and secured in our favour to help deliver it to you in your country sucessfully and without any stress.
For your information, if this money is sucessfully delivered to you in your Country, it will be shared as follows: 25% for you, 55% for the minister, 15% for me, while 5% will be set aside for any expences we might incure during this transaction.
In the light of this, I would like you to forward to me the following information's if interested:
1. Complete Names
2. Full delivery address
3. Phone/Mobile number, for easy communication with you by the Government Diplomatic Delivery Agent upon arrival in your country for delivering.
4. Copy of your Identification, either: Passport or ID card Copy to ascertain you as our overseas partner/receiver.
Thanks and remain blessed, as I anticipate your early response.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr.Christopher

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