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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: "kan unak" <unak14@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 20:20:22 +0200
Subject: confidential

Dear Sir/Madam

I know you will be surprised to receive this business proposal. First,
I must introduce myself. I am Kan Unak, from the Diamond-rich district of
Kono,Sierra Leone, and my father was the former Special adviser to the
ousted Head of State of Sierra Leone,Major Paul Koroma.
During the war between our forces led by the ex-Head of State, Major Paul
Koroma and the West Africa Allied Forces (ECOMOG), my country relied
heavily on the foreign earnings generated from diamond trade. This money was
personally kept by then President,Major Paul Koroma Since our banking system
had collapsed during the war.
However, as the war progressed, it became apparent that we were going to
loose the war to the superior and better armed West African Allied Forces
(ECOMOG). At this point, the key officers of the administration started
making frantic efforts on how to leave SierraLeone safely thereby sharing
the proceeds/money from this diamond trade. In view of the fact that my
father was one of the key officers of the administration and a
brother-in-law to Major Paul Koroma, he succeeded in getting the sum of
US$22.5 Million (Twenty-two Million Five hundred United States Dollars).
We made agreement and transferred the money through diplomatic means to
South Africa, where I am presently residing in exile as asylum seeker but
unfortunately,my father died of heart attack after a few months of exile in
South Africa and automatically, I became in total control of the said money
as the first child. Upon our arrival in South Africa after due
consideration, we deposited the money with a Security Company for the
security reasons. The actual content was not disclosed to them (Security
company) pending when we see a trustworthy person such as yourself who will
assist us in transferring this money to his or her account outside South
Africa, as the strict monetary laws here do not allow asylum seekers certain
financial rights.
I shall be most grateful if you can assist me accomplish this transaction
and hoping too that you will remain trustworthy. For your efforts and
assistance, I have agreed to give you 20% of the total sum while 10% will be
aside for all the expenses incurred in the course of this transaction.
The rest of the 70% will be for my family investment in your country.
Please note that this transaction is 100% Risk Free,for I have made
arrangements for a successful deal. As such, the only thing I ask from you
is total assistance to transfer this money, complete trust and assurance
that my own part of money will be safe when transferred to your account. I
wish you would keep this proposal highly confidential and secret,considering
my father's position before his death and source of the money.your response
will be appriciated.

Best regards.
kan unak

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