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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: "Mrs Gladys Ada" <gladysada@luxmail.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: gladysada@rediffmail.com
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 20:06:33 +0400
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANT NEEDED

My Dear ,
I am Mrs Gladys Ada from liberia. I am a widow being that I lost my husband a couple of months ago. My husband was a serving director of the Cocoa exporting boarduntil his death He was assassinated last january by the rebels following the political uprising. Before his death he had a foreign account here in South Africa Financial Companyup to the tune of ($34.5m) which he told the company was for the importation of cocoa processing machine.I want you to do me a favour to receive this funds to a safe account in your country or any safer place as the beneficiary .in acceptance of our mutual business endeavour by furnishing me with the following; 1. Beneficiary name and address. 2. Direct Telephone and fax numbers. These requirements will enable us file a letter of claim to the Finance Company in South Africa in your favour before the transfer can be made. We shall be compensating you with $15 on final conclusion of this project, while the rest shall be for us. Your share stays
with you while the rest shall be for us for investment purposes. If this proposal is acceptable by you, do not take undue advantage of the trust we have bestowed in you, . Please if you are willing to assist me and my only son Kins, indicate your interest in replying soonest.
Thanks and best regards .
Mrs Gladys Ada




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