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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Madame Suha Arafat" <arafats@globalum.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: madamesuha@mail15.com
Date: Sat, 21 May 2005 04:24:40 -0700
Subject: PLEASE HELP


Dear Friend,

This mail may not be surprising to you if you have been following current events in the international media with reference tom the Middle East and Palestine in particular.
I am Mrs. SUHA ARAFAT, the wife of YASSER ARAFAT, the Palestinian leader who died recently in Paris.Since his death and even prior to the announcement, I have been thrown into a state of antagonism, confusion, humiliation, frustration and hopelessness by the present leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the new Prime Minister. I have even been subjected to physical and psychological torture. As a widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with everybody in the country at the moment. You must have heard over the media reports and the Internet on the discovery of some fund in my husband secret bank account and companies and the allegations of some huge sums of money deposited by my husband in my name of which I have refuses to disclose or give up to the corrupt Palestine Government. In fact the total sum allegedly discovered by the Government so far is in the tune of about $6.5 Billion Dollars. And they!
are not relenting on their effort to make me poor for life. As you know, hence my desire for a foreign assistance. I have deposited the sum of 20 million dollars with a security firm abroad whose name is withheld for now until we open
communication. I shall be grateful if you could receive this fund into your bank account for safe keeping and any Investment opportunity. This arrangement is known to you and my personal Attorney. He might be dealing with you directly for security reasons as the case may be. In view of the above, if you are willing to assist for our mutual benefits, we will have to negotiate on your Percentage share of the $20,000,000 that will be kept in your position for a while and invested in your name for my trust pending when my Daughter, Zahwa, will come off age and take full responsibility of her Family Estate/inheritance. Please note that this is a golden opportunity that comes once in life time and more so, if you are hornet, I am going to entrust more funds in your care as this is one of the legacy we keep for our children. In case you don't accept please do not let me out to the security and international media as I am giving you!
this information in total trust and confidence I will greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith. Please expedite action.
Please kindly reply to my private email address
(madamearafat@yahoo.fr)
Yours sincerely,
Mrs.Suha Arafat
____________________________________________________________________________
The above confidential message was sent to you from my office by my secretary seeking for your assistance regarding my clients fund transfer.This Office will be handling anything regarding this fund transfer and all the documents are here in our custody.
All response regarding the above proposal will be address to the below
contact information's for immediate processing and transfer after due legal process.
GEOFFREY BELL & ASSOCIATES (Solicitor &Advocate)
260 Brixton Hill
London SW2 1HP (UK)
Office Tel/Fax: 448701349933
MOBILE: : 447040-100-909
E-mail:
Mss. Anne Frank
Secretary to:
Barrister Geoffrey Bell.


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