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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: "MR. AHMED" <ahmedmusa005@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2005 13:46:01 +0200
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED.

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Ahmed Musa I am 26 years old.I am from the Republic of Liberia in West Africa. I am presently living in Dakar-Senegal with my two siblings. My father was a local Diamond dealer in Liberia. He died during the last civil crisis in Liberia that lead to exile of the president Charles Taylor who is my late father's right hand man.
Just few months ago I visited Liberia for the burial of my uncle I discovered a safe keeping receipt in my late father's underground safe. I was meant to understand through the attached letter addressed to me, my mother and my two sibllings that the real content of the box in the security company is a total sum $6.8 million USD. My late father told us in the letter that he deposited the box as family treasure for security reasons. I am now in Dakar-Senegal and have confirmed that the box is really there for me and my sibllings,we also have about 1000kg Au metal(Gold),and about 14,573 Rough Diamond,i have concluded with my mother and my two sisters that the items has to be sale in oder to raise more money even cheaper than world market price.
I want you to assist me and my family to invest this money as well as making connections on whom might be intrested in buying those items and also help us go to your country and further our education. I have prayed for a long time now before we decided to write you.
This information is hereby at the moment disclosed to only you apart from my immediate family. I wish that you keep it confidential for security reasons. I will like you to come to the Dakar-Senegal as soon as possible so that we can bring out this fund and arrange on the best manner to send it to your country. I will also like to know what you will take as your commission for this business. I will like to present you as my late father's business partner. I dont really know you but I have to trust you even without seeing you .Upon the receipt of your reply more information shall be given to you and other logistics discussed.
Please maintain the uttermost confidentiality needed in this business.
Kindly give me your telephone and fax numbers for more easy communication.
Best regards,
Ahmed Musa.



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