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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: "MILTON JOE ." <j_milton2@msn.com>
Reply-To: j_milton01@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 27 Aug 2005 15:23:07 +0000
Subject: investment.

From; Barrister Milton Joe

Sir, I intend working together with you to invest heavily in your country
but I am constrained by the requirements that might be needed for a
non-residential / governmental company. I am BARRISTER MILTON JOE , attorney
to late Engr. Mark of your country and a contractor with the Shell BP in
Lagos former capital of Federal Republic of Nigeria. He died with his two
children and his wife in a motor accident along the high road of the new
capital, Abuja. May their soles rest in perfect peace, Amen. However, I have
been given the final notice by his investor, HK Trade Union Homes on
providing his next of kin for the claim of his balance deposit sum of Twelve
Million Five Hundred Thousand – US$12,500,000.00 - US dollars only. All my
efforts to trace any of his relations proved abortive and were no indication
of next of kin in his profile with his investor. Based on the above, I wish
to solicit for your assistance to represent in my claim as the nominated
next of kin for receiving the above balance deposit in your account for some
investment proposal in your country based on your areas of specialization. I
will sincerely rely on your advice and co-ordinations while your cooperation
will be highly appreciated. Write immediately for any inquiries.

Regards,
Barr. MILTON JOE
Write me back on this email
j_milton01@yahoo.com


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