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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: vivian edward <vivian0015edward@yahoo.ca>
Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:25:05 -0500 (EST)
Subject: FROM MRS. VIVIAN EDWARD.


Dearest One,

It's my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I and my Son,intend to establish in your country. Though I have not met with you before but I believe,one has to risk confiding in someone to succeed sometimes in life.

There is this huge amount of Eigtheen million
U.S dollars($18,000,000.00) which my late Husband kept for us in a security storage house here in Abidjan before he was assasinated by unknow persons.Now me and my son decided to invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside our country for security and political reasons.We want you to help us to transfer this fund to your country for investment purposes on the followings below:

1). Telecommunication
2). Automobile manufacturing
3). Five star hotel

If you can be of an assistance to us we will be pleased to offer to you 20% Of the total fund.

I await your soonest response.

Extend my warmest regards to your entire family.

Thank you and God bless you.
Sincerely,
Mrs.Vivian Edward.

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