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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: "pauline joel" <paulinestore@hotmail.com> (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 17:59:04 +0300
Subject: urgent order,.............

Dear sales,
I will like to place an order for some product in
your store to my client in nigeria(west africa) that
will be ship to
nigeria via (Fedex/Usps) all payment will be via
major credit card (master card or visa card) to your
company for the order.i will be responsible of the
"shipping/handing and taxes charges". I will like you
to please forward your website address along with you
phone number.
love to read from you asap.
regards
pauline,..................



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