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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: "MISS. FLORENCE KEBEE" <missflorence_k@yahoo.co.nz> (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 17:08:14 +0100
Subject: HOW ARE YOU, Reply

Hear Dear,
How are you? I am writting this letter with due respect and heartful of tears since we have not known or meet ourselves previously, I am asking for your assistance after I have gone through a profile that speaks good of you. I want to find out if it's possible for you to deal with individual as to investment and I will also want you to be my friend.
I came across your profile and I feel it's highly reputable that is why I pick an interest getting across to you in respect of investment at my disposal. I will be so glad if you can allow me and lead me to the right channel towards your assistance to my situation now. I will make my proposal well known if I am given the opportunity. I would like to use this opportunity to introduce myself to you. I am Miss. FLORENCE KEBEE, the only daughter of Mr. Mbokah Kebee, a diamond dealer from KENEMA in (Sierra Leone).
My father is now late, he died some months back during the last and current crisis in my country (Sierra Leone). He was Killed by the rebels for refusing to join and sponsor them. The main reason why I am contacting you now is to seek your assistance in the area of my future investment and also for a help hand over some huge amount of money in my possession. This money (US$10.7 Million) is deposited in a finance company, some years ago by my father and he made me the sole beneficiary.
I am now asking you to stand on my behalf to claim the deposit from the security Finance company and assist me on investing it as well in your country.
Thanks and remain bless
Sincerely yours,
MISS. FLORENCE KEBEE
missflorence@inbox.com


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