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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: susan smith <mariko_sista@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: susan smith <susan_smithciv15@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 06:05:46 +0900 (JST)
Subject: From Miss Susan Smith


Dearest,

Good a thing to
write you. I have a proposal for you-this however is not mandatory nor
will I in any manner compel you to honor against your will.

Your
profile pushed me to send you this mail; I am Miss Susan Smith 23years
old and the only Daughter of my late parents Mr. and Mrs. Kenzo Smith.
My father was a highly reputable business magnet-(a cocoa merchant) who
operated in the capital of Ivory Coast during his days.

It is sad
to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his
business trips abroad year 12th.Febuary 2011.Though his sudden death was
linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his
who traveled with him at that time. But God knows the truth!

My
mother died when I was just 4years old, and since then my father took me
so special. Before his death on February 12 2011 he called the
secretary who accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has
the sum of Ten mill I on, seven hundred thousand United State
Dollars.(USD$10.700,000) left in one of the leading security company
here in Abidjan Ivory coast West Africa, with my name as next of kin for
save keeping.

My father told me that he deposited the money in
my name, I am just 23years old and a university undergraduate and really
don't know what to do. This is because I have suffered a lot of set
backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory coast. The
death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life.

Dear, I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.

Now permit me to ask these few questions:-

1. Can you honestly help me as your Sister?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money is in your account?

I am waiting for you urgent reply to give you more details.

Many thank

Miss Susan Smith

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