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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: "PRINCE ELVIS GEORGE DICKSON" <princeelvis_dickson@arabtop.net> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 04:10:11 +0400
Subject: DEAR BELOVE ONE( HELP US)

FROM PRINCE ELVIS GEORGE DICKSON

DEAR BELOVED ONE

I am Prince ELVIS GEORGE DICKSON the son of late MR. MAXWELL HARREY
DICKSON who works with Fernandez diamond mining company as a sales
Manager.

Then dear beloved one, before my father's death as a result of kidney
Problem, he left in a finance/security firm in Middle East, a trunk box
Of GOLD that what the sum of USA$30.million that was deposited as family
valuables which he realized from several deal in the company as
According to my late father's autography, documents and his will which
he
left for me in my possession after his death and when he was alive.

My request is for you to help me in clearing the trunk box of the GOLD
From the security firm in Middle East as my late father's business
partner
and also to be my family financial manager.

I am making this contact to you in good faith and with hope that it will
transpire into a more mutual relationship in future Upon your response,
I
Will be willing to arrange a meeting between you and I.

Best regards
Prince Elvis G. Dickson
For the family.


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