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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: "Andrew and Cecilia Kumara" <kumara45@netscape.net> (may be fake)
Reply-To: andrewkumara@excite.com
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 13:54:27 +0100
Subject: Please Help Us

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Andrew Kumara from the republic of Sierra Leone in West
Africa. I am the first and only son of Late paramount chief of KONO District
in Sierra Leone I am presently here In Senegal with my only sister. I got
your contact through the internet. I am fully convinced with my sister that
a person like you is capable to handle our problem.

My late father was murder alongside with my mother on the 14th of last
month. I later discover that my late father brought a total of $8.7 Million
United State Dollars to Dakar Senegal for investment through a diplomatic
means.

I have successfully confirmed the existence of the consignment in the
security company here in Dakar Senegal where the diplomatic was deposited
the consignment base on my late father instruction. I am very happy because
the diplomat who brought the consignment is not aware that the content is
money. My late father was murdered because of the fund while he was on his
way to the Airport to fly to Dakar Senegal to receive the fund in the
security company where he ask the diplomat to deposited the consignment.

I want you to use your connection to assist myself and sister to
receive the money from the security company here in Dakar Senegal. Because
my late father told the security company that they will not release the
consignment to us without us get a trusted foreigner who will take care of
us and also invest the money on our behalf. So this the problem we are
having and that is the reason we are contacting you for help. I will forward
to you all necessary document including the certificate of deposit and
agreement between my late father and security company to empower you to
Secure the fund for us until we come to your country. And also send an
invitation letter to me and my sister to come over to your country and
further our ducation.

We will appreciate it most if you will invest more of the fund in any
profitable business area. My sister is 20 years while I am 25 years old. We
prefer to live in your country and we will like you to have you and you
family as foster parents. I am personally confiding in you in this
transaction. I have prayed about it am sure you are able to assist us.

I look forward to hear from you so that we can map out logistics for
this transaction. I hope you will maintain the uttermost confidentiality
needed in this transaction. Please forward your telephone and fax number to
me call you.

I strongly believe that enough facts are given for you to access our
status

Best regards

Andrew and Cecilia Kumara


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