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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: "Miss susan Williams" <info@miss-susan-williams.net>
Reply-To: susanwills15@katamail.com
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2005 00:31:27 +0000
Subject: PLEASE HELP MY FAMILY!!!

Dear Friend,
How are you doing today? I hope fine. If so glory be to god. My names Susan Williams, I am the daughter to the late former minister of agriculture in Nigeria. my dad died since 5yrs ago in a ghastly plane crash on his way  back from Kenya, and since then life has not been easy for me and my family anyway I thank god that I am alive today. Since the death of my dad things have not been easy with us. Though my dad died leaving a huge amount of funds and the government has refused to release this money because the money has been lodged in a foreign account. I and my family have gone through hell even my dad’s brothers could not help us and the government has only given us an option that the funds can only be released if we have a foreigner that the funds can be transferred into his or her account.
After this has been done my family and I are willing to offer 25% of the funds to anyone
that can assist us so that we can claim our fathers money. My mum has been so ill and things are not really going well with us here. I decided to contact you because I knew god was gong to use you to assist me and my family from our present predicament.
As soon as we have been able to collect this money I and my family will be coming overseas so we can start up a new life and invest in a profitable business venture I will be glad if you can assist. There is nothing to fear about as I have attached my picture for proper identification as I write this write in tears and pains, I appeal to you to assist me so that the funds can be transfer will give u more details as soon as hear from you. I want you to know that I have been directed by the spirit to send this to you, may the lord bless you richly as you assist my family and me in regaining our lost life back as this is my mum's only wish right now? And do please reply me with this my secured email address: susanwills15@katamail.com
Best regards
Miss Susan Williams.

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