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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: "MRS SUHA ARAFAT" <arafatsfamily@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: suha_arafat6@excite.com
Date: Sun, 17 Jul 2005 09:09:26 +0000
Subject: INTENDING PARTNER!

Mrs. Suha Arafat
Email address:suha_arafat6@excite.com
Dear Intending partner,
This mail may not be surprising to you if you have been following current
events in the international media with reference to the Middle East and
Palestine in particular.

I am HAJIA SUHA ARAFAT, the wife of YASSER ARAFAT, the Palestinian
leader who died recently in Paris.Since his death and even prior to the
announcement, I have been thrown into a state of antagonism,confusion,
humiliation, frustration and hopelessness by the present leadership of the
Palestinian Liberation Organization and physical and psychological torture.

As a widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with everybody in
the country at the moment.You must have heard over the media reports and the
Internet on the discovery of some fund in my husband secret bank account and
companies and the allegations of some huge sums of money deposited by my
husband in my name of which I have refuses to disclose or give up to the
corrupt Palestine Government.

In fact the total sum allegedly discovered by the Government so far is in
the tune of about $6.5 Billion Dollars. And they are not relenting on their
effort to make me poor for life. As you know, the Muslim community has no
regards for woman, hence my desire for a foreign assistance. You can visit
the BBC news broadcast below for better understanding of what I am talking
about;
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3479937.stm>

I have deposited the sum of 20 million dollars with a security/Finance Firm
abroad whose name is withheld for now until we open communication. I shall
be grateful if you could receive this fund into your bank account for safe
keeping and any Investment opportunity. This arrangement is known to you and
my personal Attorney.He might be dealing with you directly for security
reasons as the case may be. In view of the above, if you are willing to
assist for our mutual benefits, we will have to negotiate on your Percentage
share of the $20,000,000 that will be kept in your position for a while and
invested in your name for my trust pending when my Daughter, Zahwa, will
come off age and take full responsibility of her Family estate/inheritance.

Note, if you are honest, I am going to entrust more funds in your care as
this is one of the legacy we keep for our children.In case you don't accept
please do not let me out to the security and international media as I am
giving you this information in total trust and confidence I will greatly
appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith.

Send reply to my personalmailbox at suha_arafat6@excite.com ok
Please expedite action
Yours sincerely,
Hajia Suha Arafat


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