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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: "mercy al-hassan" <alhassan@ozu.es> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 22:52:14 +0000
Subject:

212, comunity 18
Off spintex junction
Accra Ghana

Dearly Beloved,

My name is Mrs.Mercy Al-Hassan., and I am living with AIDS. Ever since my Husband, Hon. Odai Al-hassan, the former Ghanaian finance minister died of AIDS And I was tested positive of the AIDS virus, the mass media would not just let I and My family be.
My children have stopped going to school because they could no longer stand the humiliations from fellow students, the embarrassment is getting on my nerves but what can I do. I would have loved to travel out of the country to a place where I will have peace and spend the rest of my life with my children but I could not make it for I am weak and severely sick, and as the day goes by my condition is deteriorating. From all indications, I know that my days are numbered.

In the light of the above, I have contacted you to assist me to transfer out of Ghana the SUM OF $17.2 MILLION U.S DOLLARS, which my husband deposited In one box as [FAMILY TREASURE] with a safety company for the up-keep of my children, I would like the fund to get to you so that you
safe-keep it for my children as they will be coming over to your country in due course to live and school.
YOU WILL INVEST THIS MONEY FOR THEM IN COMMERCIAL ESTATE OR ANY OTHER BUSINESS OF YOUR CHOICE YOU DEEM HEALTHY.
For your effort, I am prepared to give you 15% of the total funds. I am looking forward to hearing from you while thanking you for your anticipated cooperation in this regard.

Please give me also your phone numbers and fax for better communication between us.

Kind Regards,
Mercy Al-Hassan



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