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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: "CLIFF HILL" <cliff.hill2020@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "CLIFF HILL" <cliff.hill@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:55:20 -0700
Subject: URGENT

 
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES
SANDTON TOWERS, JOHANNESBURG PMB. 12701
SOUTH AFRICA.
Tel: 0027 839811 611.
Dear Friend,
I am Mr. Cliff Hill, a member of the contract award committee working with the Department of Minerals and Natural Resources in South Africa. I am in search of an agent or group of company to assist us in the transfer of Twelve Million United States Dollars Only. (USD$12M) for subsequent investment in properties in your country.
You will be required to. (1) Assist in the transfer of the said funds. (2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment. If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 25% of the total sum of USD$12M will be for you. Please I want you to understand that this transaction is a deal and as such should be treated very confidential and well handled with topmost secrecy. Thanks and God bless you, as I wait in anticipation of your fullest co-operation. Yours Faithfully,
 
Mr. CLIFF HILL
 

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