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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: James Kelvin <j.kelvin36@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:47:44 +0800 (HKT)
Subject: Dear Elle Schwartz...THREAT AS URGENT


Dear Elle Schwartz
 
I want you to stop joking with me concerning this because you sent the wrong MTCN it was only 9 numbers instead of 10 digit numbers,i want you to go send the activation fee immediately with the following payment information.
Send the fee via the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
 
RECEIVERS NAME:KELVIN OBANI
DESTINATION:LAGOS-NIGERIA
AMOUNT:$300
TEST QUESTION:IN GOD
TEST ANSWER:WE TRUST
MTCN:10 DIGIT NUMBER
 
After you have send the fee get back to me with the MTCN 10 digit number or scan a copy of the WESTERN UNION receipt and send it to me.
 
I await to hear from you concerning this.
 
Regards
Mr James Kelvin



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