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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: "MARA CAMARA" <maracamara@go.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: marabantucamara@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2005 13:53:52 +0100
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE

Dear Friend,

I contact you in such a surprising manner, but I respectfully insist that you read this letter carefully as I am optimistic that it will open doors for unimaginable financial reward for both of us. I got your contact from the U.K chambers of commerce when I was searching for a reliable person to assist me, my younger sister who is 19yrs and my ageing mother who is 68yrs, to help us stand as a beneficiary on our behalf to receive our fund.

I am a citizen of Sierra-Leone, the first son of the late personal assistant to the former Minister of Land, Mines and Energy, Dr.Prince Bantu Camara, who was killed by rebels during the war in Sierra-Leone. Before my father's death, he made my mother to understand that he deposited some huge amount of money which came from the proceeds and profit he made from the sales of diamond and gold and gave my mother all relevant documents of the consignment which he deposited and declared (marked) as family treasure.

After his death, we were able to move out of Sierra-Leone through the United Nation cargo ship that conveys refugees from Freetown to Accra Ghana. My father left behind physical cash of US$18.570M (Eighteen Million Five Hundred And Seventy Thousand United State Dollars) which he safely lodged in a security company in United Kingdom (which is not disclosed for security reasons) during his regime in the office. But the content of the consignment is not known to the company. This money is neither Drug nor Terrorism money and does not in any way have link to that.

Presently, my younger sister and I have moved to UK, and the consignment is still with the Security Company here in U.K awaiting for collection. I am hereby soliciting your assistance to be my foreign partner and adviser based on the following:
1) I do not know much about investment and we need you to assist us for investment of this fund in your country because am just 22yrs.

2) You will be entitled to "Fifteen percent" of the total sum for your assistance.

3) While "Five percent" of the whole sum will be mapped out for any expenses incurred in the course of the transaction.

4) After the success of this transaction you are going to make arrangement for my younger sister and I to meet you over in your country for investment of the fund. After which we will make an arrangement to bring our mother from Africa.

Please, if you are in the best position to handle this transaction, I therefore suggest we have an urgent face-to-face meeting to discuss the modus operandi of this transaction and commence immediately.

I know we have never met before, but I want to trust you and please do not let me down when this fund finally gets to your hand. Please if you are interested, get back to me only through my email address: marabantucamara@hotmail.com for security reasons to enable me brief you with more details and all necessary documentations.

Looking forward to hearing from you and your direct telephone number for easy communication.

Thanks and God bless.


PRINCE MARA BANTU CAMARA (JR)
UNBEHALF OF THE CAMARA FAMILY.


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