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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: "Personal Assistant®" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jamesbadmus29@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:33:31 +0100
Subject: Personal Assistant Needed.

Good Morning,

Hope you're having a pleasant day today. I am writing to seek your interest in a work as my personal assistant. Basic wage is $300 a week. You work from home for only 1-2 hrs per day.

You need to go through my introductory message:

I am Lawrence James, a successful entrepreneur, investor and a research journalist .I travel a lot, within and outside the US working on various independent projects, this is why I need a personal assignment,to keep up with all of my activities especially when i travel abroad.

Please note that you are being hired only on a personal level. All correspondences would be made and promptly reported to me personally. The position is part time and home-based meaning you can work most times from your home as long as you have a regular internet access. You are also hired on a trial basis for now until we are able to see how well we fit in, this however does not affect your weekly wage.

Most of your activities will be carried out locally and most official packages will be delivered via posts. You will be actively involved in my personal, business and financial life. In summary, your activities as my assistant amongst other things will include;


* A personal reminder for Schedules, programs, flights and keeping me up to date with them as they come up;
* Carrying out specific projects and research;
* Making regular contacts and drop-offs on my behalf.
* Handling and monitoring financial activities.
* Processing and taking charge of weekly payments and purchases.
* General clerical activities.

Basic wage is $300 a week. Any extra personal expenses (transport, gas, etc) incurred by you while on an errand or otherwise will also be reimbursed by me at the end of each working Month.

This position is very flexible and it is difficult judging the exact number of hours you will be doing,just bear it in mind that there will be busier weeks than others with a steady pay. Working with me is basically about instructions and following them, my only fear is that I may come at you impromptu sometimes, so I need someone who can be able to meet up with my irregular timings. There is also a very sensitive issue on trust, dedication and accountability which I believe will resolve itself as time goes on.


This is only an introductory e-mail, as time goes on we should be able to arrange a proper meeting to get things started officially. I am currently in Asia, for business .However, I do have a number of work you can get done, prior to my arrival.

Due to the excessive number of responses to my Ad, do provide the following details about yourself for my personal record update and to filter applicants;


Full Names:
Full Contact Address( NOT P.O.BOX ):
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Phone Number:
Phone Number:
Occupation (if any):
Sex Male
Age

I hope you can be available for me immediately before I arrive, it certainly can act as a stable foundation to our impending working relationship.

Hope to hear from you again.

Regards,


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