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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: jo25kolffi@yahoo.fr
Date: 9 Jul 2005 14:55:14 -0000
Subject: Reactie op je advertentie bij Homo.nl Dating

jo25kolffi@yahoo.fr
DEAR RESPECTFUL,

Permit me to inform you of my desire of going into business relationship with you. I got your name and contact from the advertenties. I prayed over it and selected your contact among other contacts I got from there. I am John Kolffi Douglas(JR) the only son of late
DR,John Douglas my father was a very wealthy Cocoa merchant in Abidjan the economic capital of
Ivory coast, my father was poisoned to death by his business associates on one of their outings on a business trip. My mother died when I was a baby and since then my
father took me so special. Before the death of my father on JULY 2004 in a private hospital here in Abidjan he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that he has the sum of
TWELVE MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS USD. ($12,000000) left in fixed / suspense
account in one of the prime bank here in Abidjan ,that he used my name as his only son for the next of Kin in depositing of the fund. He also explained to me that it was because of this wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates.
That I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice where I will transfer this money and use it for investment purpose such as real estate management or hotel management. , I am honourably seeking your assistance in the following ways:
(1) To provide a bank account into which this money would be transferred to.
(2) To serve as a guardian of this fund since I am only 20years.
(3) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my Education and to secure a resident permit in your country Moreover, I am willing to offer you a good percentage from the total sum as compensation for your effort/input after the
successful transfer of this fund into your nominated account overseas.
Furthermore, you will indicate your option towards assisting me as I believe that this transaction would be concluded within fourteen (24 days you signify interest to assist me. Anticipating to hear from you soon.
Truly.Best regards,

John Douglas


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