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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: "Elizabeth" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ejane9360@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2014 14:24:18 -0700
Subject: Help the need

Hello Dear

I am a 22 years old girl from the federal republic of Congo where we have one of the largest deposits of diamond in the world. My father king Tura Okoli head the cartel of diamond miners in his village where he made so much fortune.

Furthermore, He was assassinated some years back and I now became the target which made me to relocate to Cameroon where my life could be safer.

My father kept some money in a security company. I seek your assistance to help me get this money to your custody in your country , I will join you as soon as you are in possession of the money, Presently I am in a refugee camp in Cameroon

I will give you 30% of the total money if you can help me out. If you are interested in assisting am expecting your prompt reply including your name, address and your telephone number to enable me do the change of ownership and power of attorney on your name and address to enable you have the right to claim this box. I got your contact from an international email directory when I was looking for help. Please be aware that the security company do not know the content of the box, the box was deposited as family valuable and personal effect.
I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT WILL COST SOME MONEY TO GET THESE BOX OUT OF THE SECURITY COMPANY ,Please reply to my

private email elizabethjane52@outlook.com

Lastly, I want to be under your shield so that you can invest this fund for me. I am trusting you with all my life please make this very confidential.
I am looking forward to your prompt reply.
Elizabeth.

Anti-fraud resources: