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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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Fraud email example:

From: "JAMES UMUNNA" <jamesprivate1@eriga.lv> (may be fake)
Reply-To: umunnaprivate@fastermail.com
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 01:26:36 +0100
Subject:

PLEASE REPLY THROUGH THIS EMAIL ADDRESS
jamesumunna2003@fastermail.com <mailto:jamesumunna2003@fastermail.com>
Dear Brethren,
Greetings in the precious name of Jesus Christ. I have
received a very
reliable information about you, and would like you to
assist me in this
transaction. However, I am MR. James Umunna. the only
son to the former
Chief of Army Staff Federal Republic of Nigeria who
is presently in
detention for an alleged felony. For the past
eighteen (18) months, I
have accepted Christ as my Personal Lord and Saviour,
and I look
forward
on how to expand the Gospel of Christ Jesus . My
father revaled to me
that he has the sum of $20m (Million United
States Dollars) that
he kept in a financial Security company for safe
keeping. This money I
have decided to use in propagating the word of God;
like building
magnificent church/ministry in your country. So I
would like you to
assist me in receiving these funds in your country as
a brethren in
Christ. Looking forward for an urgent reply.
For more information regarding to this transaction I
will reveal to you
as soon as you get back to me through my Email.
Thanks and God Bless.
Your Brother in Christ.
MR. James Umunna.




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