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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: Gen. William Wallace<coopertrem@terra.com.br>
Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2010 12:11:50 -0400
Subject: Notice: Urgent Response

My name is General William S. Wallace, the former United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

Actually, I acquired 17.3 Million US Dollars from an oil business I did in Iraq with an Iraqi citizen.
I need a good partner who I can trust to assist me in receiving the consignment on my behalf.

All arrangement to bring out the consignment from Iraq have being concluded with a United Nations
diplomat. I need someone who can receive it since I cannot receive it directly due to my status.
I am offering you 20% of the total sum for your assistance and the 80% will be transferred to my account
which I will instruct you in my next email to you on how it will be transferred to my account.

Your own part of this deal is to find a safe place where the funds can be sent to.

If you are interested I will furnish you with more details. But the whole process is simple and
we must keep a low profile at all times.

The best mode of communication to me is through email. I look forward to your reply and co-operation,
and I thank you in advance as I anticipate your co-operation waiting for your urgent response.

Thanks for your understanding.

Best Regard,

Gen William S. Wallace (RET)
(genwwallace@aol.com)

Anti-fraud resources: