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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: ""Allan Copper" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <allancopper04@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:39:52 -0000
Subject: (SGT) I NEED YOUR URGENT ASSITANCE

Need your Help
 
My name is Sgt. Allan Copper , I am an American soldier with Swiss background, serving in the military with the army's 3rd infantry division. With a very desperate need for assistance, I have summed up courage to contact you.
 
I found your contact particulars in an address journal. I am seeking your kind assistance to move the sum of ( $ 25 Million U.S. Dollars ) Twenty Five Million United State Dollars to you, as far as I can be assured that my share will be safe in your care until I complete my service here, this is no stolen money, and there are no danger involved.
 
Source Of Money:
Some money in various currencies was discovered in barrels at a farmhouse near one of Saddam's old palaces in Tikrit-Iraq during a rescue operation, and it was agreed by staff Sgt Kenneth buff and I that some part of this money be shared among both of us before informing anybody about it since both of us saw the money first.
 
This was quite an illegal thing to do, but I tell you what? No compensation can make up for the risk we have taken with our lives in this hell hole. Of which my brother in-law was killed by a road side bomb last week.
 
You will find the story of this money on the web address below; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
 
The above figure was given to me as my share, and to conceal this kind of money became a problem for me, so with the help ofa British contact working here and his office enjoy some immunity, I was able to get the package out to a safe location entirely out of trouble spot. he does not know the real contents of the package, and believes that it belongs to a British/American medical doctor who died in a raid here in Iraq, and before giving up, trusted me to hand over the package to his family.
 
Now this where you come in this if you are willing to assist me in this transaction, the money has been packed as family valuables and it will be delivered to you in your country in two days, if you are willing to assist me in this venture you are advised to get back to me with your complete contact information which will be forwarded to the diplomat who is carrying the said consignment.
 
He will contact you on your direct phone number from your international airport, after that the consignment will proceed to your home which is the final destination, note that it is not a must that you should assist me in this transaction but if you are willing and sincere to help me out in this transaction be rest assured that this transaction is 100% risk free and it does not contradict the laws of any country. Indicate your interest in assisting me as well as Providing the following .
 
information to facilitate the smooth conclusion of the Transaction:
1) Your Full Name: ------------------------------------------
2) Your Address: ---------------------------------------------
3) Your Telephone Number: ---------------------------
4) Your Mobile Number: --------------------------------------
5) Your Fax Number: ---------------------------------
6) The Name of the Closest Airport to your City of
Residence: ------------------------------------------------------
 
One passionate appeal I will make to you is not to discuss this matter with anybody, should you have reasons to reject this offer, please and please destroy this message as any leakage of this information will be too bad for us soldier? here in Iraq. I do not know how long we will remain here, and i have been shot, wounded and survived two suicide bomb attacks by the special grace of God, this and other reasons i will mention later has prompted me to reach out for help, i honestly want this matter to be resolved immediately, please contact me as soon as possible my only way of communication email.I Also want you to tell me how much you will take from this money for the assistance you will give to me, God Bless You As You Help Out In This Transaction.
 
Best Regards
Sgt. Allan Copper
Camp MXP-512 Third Infantry Division Unit(T.I.D.U),
Abul Uruj, Baghdad, Iraq

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