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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: SALIM USMAN <salim@hs.dl>
Reply-To: salim.f.usman@live.com
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:01:34 -0500
Subject: SUBJECT: INHERITANCE LETTER



SUBJECT: INHERITANCE LETTER

I have sent various mails to people, but no one seems to trust me, i told them
about my $24 Million deposit with a security firm, which i wanted them to help
me distribute the money to charity.

I am having difficulties doing this myself, because i am presently lying on a
sick bed taking treatment, due to my diagnose of cancel, my late wife died of
cancel too. If i had a son or daughter, i won't have chosen you to be next of
kin to my $24 Million.

My dear beneficiary I'M READY TO SIGN DOCUMENTS, GUARANTEE YOUR LIFE
INSURANCE,
AND A GUARANTEE SUM OF $3M IMMEDIATELY YOU AGREE TO HELP ME CARRY OUT MY LAST
WILL. , reply at once.

Your name, country, occupation, and age.

From
Mr. Salim Usman
Merchant
@ Central Hospital.

----------------------------------------------------------------
FME Webmail
www.educacao.niteroi.rj.gov.br

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