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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: "Colonell Pius Amor." <coleamor2020@hotmail.com> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 22:06:45 +0400
Subject: GET BACK URGENT

Dear friend,
Good day to you, I am so sorry for sending you unsolicity mail , is just that did not have any other alternative than to do it, so please bear with me for not state even your name , I got your contact from a news paper i saw im my agents office and decided to contact you my self for the sake of business , My name is col Pius amor , I am from Sierra leon in Africa , Well know soldier.
I contact you for business issue of which i am now in Dubai with my cash , so i need a very good real business man who will help me invest my money in a very good business that will yield profite to both of us, so please kindly email me and attach your number as to enable call so that we will discuss this issue face to face.
I am looking forward to recieve your prompt response.
Regards,
Colonell Pius Amor.


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