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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: Hugo Smith <sgt.hsmith@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: sgt_hsmith@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:10:52 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Sgt Hugo Mark Smith.


My dear ,
 
How are you and your family? My names are Sgt Sgt Hugo Mark Smith, i am an American soldier serving in the military with the Army's 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION. With a desperate need for assistance to move the sum of US$6M (six million united states dollars only) from a finance clearing house in LONDON UK to any bank A/C in UNITED STATES as far as i can be assured that my share will be safe in your care until i complete my service here
SOURCE OF MONEY:
 
Some money in various currencies was discovered in Barrels at a farm house near one of the late president Saddam's old palaces in TIKRIT-IRAQ during a rescue operation, and it was agreed by my crew members that some part of this money be shared among us before informing others since we were the first that saw it.This is 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 bomb blast recently.
The above figure was given to me as my share, to conceal this kind of money became a problem to me, but finally i was able to seek the help of a British-American Contact that is working here also part of the deal, and his office enjoy some immunity, he was the one who suggested that the money be moved as a diplomatic treasure into a payment/clearing house in London UK where it will be very convenient for onward bank-to-bank swift transfer directly to an A/C in the states.It was conveyed as part of the belongings of a British-American Medical Doctor who died in a raid here in Iraq, and before giving up, trusted him to hand over his package to his family in the states.Now that the money is out of Iraq for it to be finally transferred to your Bank A/C in the states, get back to me, promising me your honesty as fellow united, then i will discus it with you in details with the information to contact the payment/clearing house (IFRANCE NATIONWIDE INC LONDON
UK) as my relative for release of the money in your names and information on my behalf according to the laid-down instruction.I am sure you will be willing to assist me, and believe that my money will be secured in your hands.
I want you to tell me HOW MUCH YOU WILL TAKE FROM THIS MONEY FOR THE ASSISTANCE YOU WILL GIVE TO ME,one passionate appeal i will make to you is not to discus this matter with anybody, should you have any reasons to reject this offer, please,please and please destroy this message as any leakage of this information will be too bad for us soldiers 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 via my email address which is my only way of communication.
 
God bless you and your family.
Sgt Hugo Mark Smith



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