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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: "Mr Pathrick Lawrence." <pathylaw06@yahoo.ie> (may be fake)
Reply-To: pathylaw06@yahoo.ie
Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 18:57:43 +0100
Subject: I need your help

Dearest one,
May the blessing of God be upon you and grant you the wisdom and sympathy to understand my situation and how much I need your help. I am Pathrick Lawrence the first son of Mr Eddy Lawrence former national security advicer to the outstayed Sierria Leonean military head of state, Paul Koroma. I am writing to express my interest in real estate or landed properties in your country. Though my father died in detention a couple of months ago while been detained by the new government. Before his untimely death, he instructed me to leave the country for my safety and start up a business somewhere out side Africa. The sum of Nine million US dollars( 9.00.000.00) was deposited in a security and finance company by my late father.Actually, I have never met you before, it was a friend of my fathers who happened to be present at his bural that adviced me to consider your country for my investments. After due consideration, I started searching the web side where I got your email address.

No one else is aware of my proposal to you. Due to social, economic and political instability in west African region, I decided to seek your assistance in transfering this money into your private or institutional account for investment purposes.
I have all the vital documents that covers the deposit which could be faxed to you upon request. Transaction of this nature demands the highest trust and confidence between both parties. This transaction is risk free in the sense that. For your assistance in this transfer, I have decided to give 10% of the total sum involved and I will also compensate you with 10% for the inconveniences and for expenses that we may incure during the process. Your acceptance of this proposal or otherwise should please be communicated through my E.MAIL address. Your quick response will be appreciated. However, if you are not disposed to assist, kindly distroy this letter to protect the identity and confidentiality of the parties involved. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr Pathrick Lawrence.







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