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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "John Wiley" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <john.wiley101@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2013 18:40:12 +0300
Subject: PERSONAL ASSISTANT

Hello,
 
My Name is John Wiley,and I own an Art Gallery, This time of the year is exceedingly a busy time for me,and I find myself constantly travelling out of
the Country for exhibitions,auctions,deliveries et all as such I sort the services of a Personal Assistant to handle my business errands.
I do not require that you resume to an office,leave your current employment or levacuate your convenience.
 
I am looking for someone that can handle my business errands during his or her spare time.
Here are a list of responsibilities that I would require you bear on my behalf:
 
1. Receive my mail and drop them off at the post office or shipping center.All expenses and shipping charges will be covered by me.
2. Pay bills on my behalf.I would be providing funds for this.
3. Sit for delivery at home or pick up items at a post office near you at your convenience.
When you get my mail or receive packages on my behalf you are free to open them to check contents in order to gurantee your safety and security.
 
The contents of the my mail and the packages are specifically art materials and paintings as well as personal letters. No heavy packages are involved.
If you decide to accept this position or you are able to offer me any of the responsibilities I have listed above, Please provide me with the following details
 
Full Name:
Full Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Phone No:
Age:
Work Status:
 
 
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
 
A. Being honest and trustworthy.
B. Ability to 15 to 20 hours a month
C. Ability to check your EMAIL 3 to 5 times daily.
 
REMUNERATION:
 
$500 Weekly.
 
Please note that this job DOES NOT require any financial obligation of any sort from you as I would be catering for all expenses.
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Regards,
John Wiley

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