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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. West" <west000.11@msn.com>
Reply-To: <westbernard8888@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 00:50:17 +0000
Subject: BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY/YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED



Mr.West Bernard.SA Post OfficeP.O. Box 10 000PRETORIA0083 SOUTH AFRICA.
{MONEY TRANSACTION} {THIRTY SIX MILLION USD} (RE:TRANSFER OF($36,000,000.USD)
Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Mr.West Bernard, and I work in the International operation department in a Local Bank here in South Africa On a routine inspection,I discovered a dormant domiciliary account with a BAL Of36,000,000 (Thirty Six Million USD) on further discreet investigation I also discovered that the account holder has long since passed away(dead)leaving no beneficiary to the account the bank will approve this money to any foreigner because the former operator of the a/c is a foreigner and from Iraq in particular and I am certainly sure that he is dead and nobody will come again for the claim of this money it is only a foreigner that can claim this money with propear information. I need your cooperation to clear this money from the bank.

I will provide the necessary information needed in order to claim this money, But you will need to open an account where this can be transferred.If you are interested send me your private Telephone No And Fax number including the full details of the account to be used for the Deposit.Utmost confidentiality is needed in handling this transaction as my job and the future of my family would be jeopardized if it were breached.

The information required is as below:
Bank Name Address--------A/C Name..........................A/C Number Even an empty a/c is still ok!------------------Swift Code No.....................Your age??

I am assuring you that the transaction is risk free hence we are going to follow the normal transfer process .Finally a 40% of the total fund will be given to you for your steadfast corporation.I look forward for a positive response as quickly as possible. E-Mial:(westbernard88888@gmail.com)

Best Regards,Mr.West Bernard.

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