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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: "iain" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <iain.wilson58@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:05:55 +0100
Subject: Please replay to indicate your interest.


Dear Friend,

First, I must apologize in advance if the contents of this email do not meet
with your approval; but I humbly crave your indulgence.

My name is Iain Wilson; I am a South African, an accountant by profession.
I recently retired as the accountant to the South African 2010 World Cup
Local Organizing Committee. In my capacity as the accountant, my
committee was in charge of all the construction and rehabilitation of
Government infrastructures for the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup
tournament, held in my country. (South Africa)

I came across a lot of foreign businessmen and woman seeking contracts for
the building of stadia and residential housing units for the participants of the
world cup during the preparations before the world cup tournament.

I was courted by these foreign businessmen and women to help them secure
contracts. I did not in any way compromise my integrity or position. I only
rendered help when it was convenient for me.

I amassed a lot of goodwill and since my retirement and the successful
hosting of the World Cup; many contractors have approached me with the
aim of showing appreciation for the favour I rendered to them while in office.

These appreciations have been in form of monetary gifts. I need a proxy to
collect these monetary gifts for me, hence this proposal to you. This
transaction does not require any financial commitment of any sort from you.
All you need to do is to collect this fund on my behalf and we can come to an
agreement as to your remunerations for this service.

I can be reached via email for more details.

Like I stated earlier, this transaction does not require any financial
Commitment from you and also note that I did not solicit for this fund,
hence this does not constitute a bribe.

Thanks for your time as I await your response to indicate your interest.


Yours faithfully,

Iain Wilson







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