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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: john amara <chikaokaka5@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 2023 15:23:16 -0700
Subject: Can I completely trust you as a reliable person?

From Miss Dakota A. Odumodu,

I am a deaf girl the only Daughter of my late parents Mr. and Mrs. A.
Odumodu My father was a highly reputable business man(A COCOA DEALER)
who operated in the economic capital of (west African Island) during
his days.

I am a deaf girl. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in
France during one of his business trips abroad year Though his sudden
death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an
uncle of his who traveled with him at that time. But God knows the
truth! My mother died when I was just 6 years old, and since then my
father took me so special.

Before his death on February 12, 1996 he called the secretary who
accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of
US$48.500.000.(FORTY EIGHT MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED
STATES DOLLARS) left in a security company .He further told him that
he deposited the money with my name,. I am a deaf girl just 25 years
old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do,
Now I want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds and
after the transaction I will come over and by your help I could settle
down and plan my future.

This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of
incessant political crisis here in west Africa. The death of my father
actually brought sorrow to my life. I am in a sincere desire of your
humble assistance in this regards, I wish to invest under your care
please. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded But permit
me to ask these few questions:

1. Can you honestly help me as you would do to your own relation?
2. Can I completely trust you as a reliable person? .
3.What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you
after the money has been transferred into your account?

Moreover, while I continue with my education I will like to invest my
money into lucrative business but I need you to put me through Please
Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible, Immediately I
confirmed your willingness then I will tell you how we will go about
the transaction. Please contact me through my alternative email
address (dakotadmd1@gmail.com)

Yours sincerely,
From Miss Dakota A. Odumodu.

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