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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: Mrs Ameena Kazeem <ameena_kazeem@att.net>
Reply-To: mrs_k_ameena@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 09:08:23 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Hello My Dearest


Hello My Dearest 
 
Compliment of the season to you. I know that this letter will come to you as a surprise, with the full hope that you will bear with me to assist me.
 
I am Mrs. Amaeena Kazeem from Sierra Leon but presently residing in Cote D’Ivoire. I am a widow with one son being that I lost my husband. My husband was official personnel with the Gold and Mining board in our country Sierra Leone until his death. He was assassinated by the rebels following the political uprising. Before his death he made a deposit of sum of Thirty Seven Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($37,200,000.00) here in Cote D’Ivoire.
 
This fund he intended to use for foreign investment. I want you to help me as I have plans to do investment in your country, like real estate or any other. This is my reason for writing to you.
 
I shall give you 25% of the total sum as soon as this fund hits your account and I shall visit you in your country for the shearing.
 
Please if you are willing to assist me and my only son Eissa, please indicate your interest by replying soonest.
 
Thanks and best regards.
Mrs. Amaeena Kazeem and Son Eissa

Anti-fraud resources: