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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: "donnej@cantv.net" <donnej@cantv.net>
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2010 06:52:06 -0430
Subject: Dearest One,

Dearest One,
 
First of all I will like to thank you for given your attention to read my mail and for your interest,I pray that my plan with you shall be of good success.After you read all this mail please kindly call me with this line
 
It's my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I intend to establish in your country. Though I have not met with you before but I believe,one has to risk confiding in someone to succeed sometimes in life.
 
There is this huge amount of eight million, five hundred U.S dollars ($8,500,000.00) which my late Father kept for investment in a security storage house here before he was assasinated by unknow persons.
 
Now I decided to invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside Africa for security and political reasons. I want you to help me to transfer this fund to your country for investment purposes on the followings below:
 
1). Telecommunication
2). Automobile manufacturing
3). Five star hotel
 
If you  you can be of an assistance to us, we will like to give you 20% Of the total fund. we await your soonest response. Extend our warmest regards to your entire family.
Thank you and God bless you.
 
Sincerely, 
Mr Donne Johnson

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