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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: "=?utf-8?q?MR.=20SMITH=20William?=" <mr.smithwilliams2@yahoo.com.co>
Reply-To: mryluke@yahoo.cn
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:58:59 -0800 (PST)
Subject: TREAT AS URGENT


¡Tengo nueva dirección de correo!Ahora puedes escribirme a:mr.smithwilliams2@yahoo.com.co



- Dearest friend, I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transfered under the co-operation of a new partner. Meanwhile, i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how. Now contact my Secretary on his informations below. Name: MR LUKE YAYI Email: mryluke@yahoo.cn Phone: 00229 93-744-579 Ask him to send you the total of $850,000.00 in a certified bank cheque which I kept for your compensation. In the moment, I'm very busy here because of the investment projects which the new partner and I are having at hand, finally remember to send your current informations to him as below. 1) Your full name / 2) Your contact address / 3) Your direct telephone / 4) Age and Occupation. Thanks and God bless. Yours Sincerely. MR SMITH WILLIAMS


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