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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: assist@handbag.com
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2005 12:34:25 +0200
Subject: BUSINESS ASSISTANCE !!!

With due respect and humility, I write you this letter which I believe you
would be of great assistance to me. I got your contact from the world trade
centre (W.T.C) here in Madrid. I am Mrs. Judith Kolo the wife of Mr. Randi
Kolo of blessed memory. My husband was assassinated by the rebel forces loyal
to Major John Paul Koroma. Before his assassination, he was the director
general, National Gold and mining corporation of Sierra Leon. My husband
was one of the main classes of people targeted by the rebel forces in Sierra
Leon. In the course of the revolution in the country, prominent people were
hijacked from their homes to unknown destination. My husband was hijacked
and was killed by the rebels. Two days before his death he managed to sneak
out a written message informing me of a trunk box which he conceived under
the roof of our house containing valuables and cash sum of ($15.500, 000USD)
fifteen millions five hundred thousand Dollars. He instructed me and my only
son to move out of Sierra Leon with the money to Spain immediately before
the powerful Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) forces intervened
which eventually resulted to a brutal civil war.
I and my son managed to escape to Spain with the trunk box containing the
money through the help of an air craft pilot and we are now temporary residing
in Spain as asylum seekers. In order to avoid people raising an eyebrow over
the Hugh some of money, I decided to deposit the trunk box with a security
company for safe keeping and security purposes. Be informed that the real
content of the box was not disclosed to the security organization and we
do not want them to know this under any circumstances rather we deposited
the box as containing family valuables. Please we want you to come and assist
us claim this box from the security company. However, due to our status here
in Spain we are unable to invest the money here in Spain because we are be
denied in business world. We therefore need your assistance by coming here
to claim this money and move it to your foreign Bank account.
Maybe you will be required to open a non residence Bank Account in any Bank
of your choice here in Spain and get the money deposited in the account,
there after you order the Bank to transfer the money to your account overseas.
You shall also source for good investment for us where we can invest the
money wisely. We have it in mind to establish a rewarding investment and
good relationship with you.
Concerning the money, we are prepared to give you a reasonable sum of 20%
of the total money and 5% would be mapped out for any expenses incurred in
the cause of this transaction, and then 75% will be for me and my son. If
you are willing to assist us, you can reach me and my son through this email
address: help_judith@excite.com: immediately you receive this letter for
more information to enable us proceeds towards concluding all arrangements
regards to the fund. No other person knows about this money apart from my
son and I. Please keep it very confidential.
We await your urgent response.

Regards,
Mrs. Judith Kolo.

__________________________________________________________________
1Mb Tiscali Broadband for £14.99.
Offer ends 30th June 2005
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