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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: "harrison doyle" <hintline@hintline.net>
Reply-To: harrisondoyle@yahoo.com.au
Date: Fri, 09 Sep 2005 08:03:17 +0000
Subject: Hi Sweatheart

Hi Sweatheart.

I am Harrison Doyle the only Son of Mr & Mrs Doyle.

It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of
his business trips abroad in the year Febuary 25th 2003.Though his sudden
death was linked or rather suspected to have been master minded by an uncle
of his, who travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth. My
mother died when I was just 6 years old,and since then my father took me so
special. Before his death on Febuary 25th 2003 he called the secretary who
accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of Fifty
five million United State Dollar (USD$55.000,000) left in a security company
in one of the leading security company in Europe.He further told him that he
deposited the money in my name,and finally issued a written instruction to
his lawyer whom he said is in possession of all the necessary legal
documents to this fund.I am just 21 years old and an university
undergraduate and really don't know what to do.

Now I need an overseas account where I can transfer this funds and after
the transaction I will come and live with you and I'm ready to do anything
of your choice. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a
result of incessant political crisis here in my country.The death of my
father actually brought sorrow to my life and I wished to invest under your
care please.I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this
regards.Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.

Now permit me to ask these few questions:-

1. Can you honestly help me?
2. Can I completely trust you? .

What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after
the money is in your account while i finalise my education?Please,Consider
this and get back to me as soon as possible.

sincere regards,

Master.Harrison Doyle


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