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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: Mrs Magreth Obi <tamfost1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westuniontransbj@hotmail.fr
Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 10:49:05 +0100
Subject: The first $5000.00 was sent today.

Hello friend,

The first $5000.00 was sent today.

We have concluded to effect your payment through western union
$5000.00 daily until the $2.7 MILLION USD is completely transferred to
you accordingly. Though, Mr John Basil has sent $5000.00 in your name
today so contact Western union Agent: Mr. Darlignton Martins
TEL:+229-979 498 83 or EMAIL::;::(westuniontransbj@hotmail.fr) Tell
him to give you the mtcn, sender name and question/answer to pick the
$5000.00.

NOTE; this payment has been instructed by the Ministry Of Finance you
must undergo due process once you get in contact to enable them
authenticate the legitimacy of your funds.

The IMF commission who set up this payment programme is now waiting
for confirmation so hasten up and give the agent a call to process
your funds at once. Please do not forget to update me as soon as you
receive this first payment.

Once again congratulations.

Thanks,
>From Mrs Magreth Obi

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