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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: "kromah karpeh" <j.kromah@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2006 07:14:05 -0800
Subject: Please I Write You In Faith

My Dear In Respect,
Good day

How are you and your family? I hope you are fine.

Please my name is Kromah Johnson Karpeh. I am 24 years old. I am a Liberian, but I am
now in Ghana. I am living under UNHCR in Budaburam Liberian Refugee Camp, Ghana.
Please I am confiding with you in hope and in faith. I know this may be strange because
we have not met before, but what else can I do since without the help of a foreigner, a
total stranger I won't be able to use the fortune my late father deposited here in Ghana.


I decided to contact you becuase my late father had a parter from your country that
convinced him of good investment opportunities and protection your country, but I have lost
the contact of my late father's partner and in my seach to contact another person I found
you.

I am contacting you for a business investment I wish to establish in your country. My late
father deposited huge amount of $18,000,000 million dollars here in Ghana before he was
assassinated in our country. unfortunately, my late mother was also murdered because
she was accusing the government of our Ex-president, Charles Taylor of my late father's
death. Then I come to Ghana for refuge and the fund.

Now I have decided to transfer and invest the fund in your country as my late parents had
planned or anywhere safe, but outside Africa for security and political reasons. Please I
know this may be strange to you, but I have just confessed the truth to you. I honestly
and truely seek your help. Also I want to come and live in your country to further my
education.

Please I am waiting for your reply.

Thanks and God bless
Sincerely Yours
Kromah



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