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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: "Mr. Harry Stephen" <harry22007@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 2007 01:45:02 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Urgent reply needed


Dear Friend,

How are you today? Please I am writing this email to you because I want to know from you if you are still willing to assist me with this project I have contacted you for I mean the transfering of (US$8.5m)into your account as the NEXT OF KIN to my late client. I have been so busy because of the new development that will be taking place in my country soon.

We want to have a change in the Federal Government of our country and the election will come on May 2007 and I want us to make sure we conclude our business before the commence of this election.

I will be needing an urgent reply to this email sent to you so as to know my faith on you if you are still in the position to assist me or not so if you are please reply back to recomfirm the information bellow

1 Your full name

2 Your age
3 Your private telephone and fax numbers
4 Your contact address
5 Occupation

As soon as I get the above information from you then I will let you know how we will move on to achive a success in this transaction.

Regards

Harry Stephen

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