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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: mariam162005@tiscali.co.uk
Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2005 05:47:54 -0700
Subject: Very Important Message

PLEASE REPLY STRICTLY TO MY PERSONAL BOX: mariam162005@sify.com

Dear Friend,
I got your contacts through my personal research, and out of desperation
I decided to reach you through this medium. I will give you more information
As to this regard as soon as you reply. I repose great confidence in you
hence my approach to you due to security network placed on my day to day
affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy so that is why I decided to
contact you and I hope you will not betray my confidence in you.

I have deposited the sum of $40.3million dollar in a switch security firm
whose name is withheld for now until we open communication so please send
down you phone/Fax Number. I shall be grate full if you could receive this
fund into your account for safe keeping. This arrangement is known to you
and my son Mustapha alone I accrue you 30% of this fund.
Please honesty is the watch word in this transaction, I will greatly appreciate
if you accept my proposal in good faith.

After reading my proposal and you know you can handle this transaction please
contact me at my personal email box immediately for more details.

Sincerely yours,
Mariam Abacha
mariam162005@sify.com
234 1 7213175



___________________________________________________________

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Anti-fraud resources: