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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: "shola williams" <sholawillians2@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 18:19:04 +0000
Subject: DEAR FRIEND

DEAR FRIEND,

Permit me to introduce myself, my name is Dr.Shola williams. I work with
Union Bank of Nigeria Limited as(Assistant Auditor),in the discharge
of my duty,I stumbled on this domiciliary account that has remained dormant
for three years now with Three million Five hundred Thousand
dollars(US$3.5m) in it. I
contacted my director and we sent out staff for enquiries and discovered
that the account holder died in an accident. I am writing you so that we can
work together to remit the money to you as the next of kin because this
money belongs to a foreigner and has to be claimed by a foreigner.I
guarantee this transaction under a legitimate arrangements that will
not breach the law by both parties, it is simple process which will take a
short while to process.If I hear from you,I will tell you all you need to
Know about the money.
N.B Please reply to my personal email address: sholawilly2@yahoo.co.uk

Best Regards,
Dr.Shola williams


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