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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: "william beal" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williambeal@yeah.net>
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2013 03:26:15 -0700
Subject: WORRY NOMORE / YOUR COMPENSATION IS READY NOW

Dear Prospective Client,
 
This is to inform you that arrangements have been concluded as regards to the shipment of your consignment of funds to your country, I choose to conclude it and make sure it is off already before contacting you; I found out that this consignment has been lying here because of non-payment of shipment fees.
This is why I decided to use my connections as the Shipment officer in charge of the National Security warehouse. (This is where all the abandoned consignments in west AFRICA  are kept at the orders of the Government for due process.
 
The consignment left Murtal Muhammed International Airport yesterday night en-route your country via London, It is a metal box, silver in color with a weight of about 150kg, the box is declared as containing diplomatic /inheritance documents only. The name of the Courier Company based in London is Global Air Couriers, (GAC)London.
Email me immediately so that I can give you the phone and Email address of GAC so that you confirm when the consignment will arrive.
 
I choose to do this for you because I studied your file and discovered that you have paid a lot of money before abandoning this consignment and I believe you will compensated me well when you receive the consignment.
 
Note : I know the content of the Box because I could see the amount you are being owned by the Federal Government,  This is why I decided to get involved, You must also know that this arrangement do not concern all the people you were dealing with  before today as this consignment/Payment/Compensation has been surrendered to the Government. Hence my involvement.
 
Waiting for your urgent reply.
 
Shipping Officer,
WILLIAM BEAL
Email : williambeal@live.com

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