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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: "israel ofuaneme" <easy4real@hotmail.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 12:00:59 +0000
Subject: i need your urgent response

ASALAM!!!

DEAR D. Salah Albardawil

WITH GREAT DELIGHT AND DEEPER HAPPINESS HAVE MADE TO PUT THESE FEW LINES OF MINE BEFORE YOU AND BEFORE I PROCEED FURTHER. I WANT TO USE THIS GREAT CHANGE THAT ALLAH HAS GIVEN ME TO EXPRESS MYSELF TO YOU.

I AM AZZIZ MAJID, THE ONLY SON TO LATE CAPTAIN ABDUL KARIM USMANI OF DRC OF CONGO, MY FATHER WAS KILLED BY UNKNOWN GUY MEN DURING THE CIVIL WAR SAGA IN MY COUNTRY, BEFORE THE WAR MY LATE FATHER SECURED THE SUM OF $20.5 MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS WITH A COMPANY IN THE SUB WEST AFRICAN REGION FOR SAFE KEEPING SAKE.

MY BROTHER IN REGION, I AM USING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CRY OUR LOUD FOR ASSISTANCE, I INTEND TO INVEST THIS MONEY UNDER YOUR CARE AND YOU WILL BE ALSO FIRST OF MAP OUT 10% FOR YOU AND ANOTHER 5% FOR ANY MONEY YOU WILL SPEND IN TELEPHONE CALLS OR TRANSPORTATIONS IN THIS SHORT TIME OF THIS TRANSACTION.

A LAWYER HAS ARRANGED ALL MODALITIES ON HOW THIS MONEY TO LEAVE AFRICA FOR GOOD, IT WILL BE YOUR DUTY TO CHOSE, IF IT'S BANK TO BANK TRANSFER YOU WANT OR TO BRING IT TO YOU IN PHYSICAL DELIVERY.

PLEASE, NEVER YOU UNDERS EXTIMATE THIS OFFER. I CAN'T LIE FOR WHAT I DON'T KNOW OF, BEFORE WHY MY RELIGION IS AGAINST IT.

DU ALLAH, I REALLY NEED YOU AT THIS TIME FOR HELP.

HOPING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOONEST


THANKS AND GOD BLESS AS YOU RETURN MY MAIL.

REGARDS.

AZIZ MAJID USMANI,






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