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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: "Maryam Abacha" <maryamabacha10@msn.com>
Date: Sun, 26 Jun 2005 13:54:14 +0000
Subject: please hear me out

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
respond to my mail.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 $10.3million dollar in a switch security
firm abroad whose name is withheld for now until we open communication so
please send down you phone number also. 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.

You should please send your reply to my other confidential email
address: maryamabacha05@uk2.net

Sincerely yours,
Maryam Abacha


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