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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: albertwanden0003@yahoo.co.in
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 17:16:00 +0200
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL

FROM;MR,ALBERT WANDEN
EMAIL;a01wanden@epatra.com
EMAIL;albertwanden0003@yahoo.co.in

URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL

I do recognize the surprise this urgent but
confidential letter will bring to you especially as it
came from a stranger, but rest assured that it came
with the best of intentions. First, I must introduce
myself. I am Mr,Albert Wanden, from the Diamond-rich
district of Sierra Leone and my father was the former
Special adviser to the ousted Head of State of Sierra
Leone, Major Johnny Paul Koroma. I got your address
and other details from the International Chamber of
Commerce here in South Africa.

During the war between our forces led by the Ex-Head
Of State, Major Johnny Koroma and the West African
Allied Forces (ECOMOG), my country relied heavily on
the foreign earnings generated from diamond trade.
This money was personally kept by the then President,
Major Johnny Paul Koroma since our banking system had
collapsed during the war.

However, as the war progressed, it became apparent
that we were going to loose the war to the superior
and better armed West African Allied Forces (ECOMOG).
At this point, the key officers of the administration
started making frantic efforts on how to leave Sierra
Leone safely thereby sharing the proceeds/money from
this diamond trade. In view of the fact that my father
was one of the key officers of the then administration
and an In-law to Major Paul Koroma, he succeeded in
getting the sum of US$32.5 Million (Thirty-two
Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

We made arrangement and transferred the money through
diplomatic means to South Africa, where I am presently
living in exile as an asylum seeker but unfortunately,
my father died of heart attack after a few months of
exile in South Africa and automatically, I came in
total control of the said money as the only surviving
son, my mother and two younger sisters. Upon our
arrival in South Africa after due consideration, we
deposited the money with a Security Company for
security reasons. The actual content was not disclosed
to them (Security Company) pending when we see a
trustworthy person who will assist us in transferring
this money to his account outside South Africa, as the
strict Monetary Laws here do not allow asylum seekers
certain financial rights.

I shall be most grateful if you can assist me
accomplish this transaction and hoping too that you
will remain trustworthy. For your efforts and
assistance, I have agreed to give you 20% of the total
sum while 5% will be set aside for all the expenses
incurred in the course of this transaction. The rest
of the 75% will be for my family investment in your
country.

Please, note that I have made arrangements for a
successful deal. As such, the only thing I ask from
you is total assistance to transfer this money,
complete trust and assurance that my own part of the
money will be safe when transferred to your account. I
would also wish you kept this proposal highly
confidential and secret considering my father’s
position before his death and the source of the money.
If you are interested in assisting me, please contact
me through the above e-mail as
soon as possible. Thanking you in advance for your
anticipated cooperation.

Yours faithfully,
MR,ALBERT WANDEN
--

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