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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Martin Wharton <officefileee@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: martinwharton@inMail24.com
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2010 06:21:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Investment in your country


>From Martin Wharton
5 Lakeside Sanctuary,
lanarmon-Yn-Ial, Nr.Mold,
Flintshire, North Wales CH7 4QX
United Kingdom
 
Good day ,
 
I am representing the interest of an investor seeking for your cooperation in building a Tourist Hotel or Real Estate in your country. I am sorry if this is not in line with your business. However I need an experienced person like you to assist me to set up and develop the project. On the resumption of the project, you will be made a managing Director for the role for the assistance you rendered. You will also
be entitled to a percentage agreed upon between me (as the representative of the Investors) and you before the commencement of the project.
Your immediate reply will be highly appreciated and I shall give you more information on this project.
Best Regards,
Martin Wharton.



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