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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: BUSINESS ASSITANCE <megadaba@zwallet.com>
Reply-To: megadaba@lycos.com
Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2005 13:59:37 +0200
Subject: BUSINESS ASSISTANCE


FROM:MRS. MARGARET ADABA
No. 203 NELSON MANDELA WAY
JOHANNESBURG,SOUTH AFRICA

Dear Friend,

My name is MARGARET ADABA a native of Cape Town south Africa. I have a proposal to make that might be interesting to you. I am in possession of a large sum of money in cash totaling US$8.000,000 Million US Dollars realized from the sale of Gold Dust and precious stones. The money is lodged at security company in Europe. I want to move the money abroad to invest it in profitable ventures...
Firstly to assist me to export this money to any suitable country abroad... And upon your request I want the money to be paid directly to any bank of your choice , for your assistance you will receive 30% of total sum 5% will be used for any expenses incured during the transaction, Also be assured there is no risk involved.
Only to give us very strong guarantee that our share will be well secured and also not take advantage of our position since the money will be paid directly to a bank account that you nominate.
Be assured that there is absolutely nothing to worry about in the view of the transaction, it is perfectly safe and good enough. ... You should keep this transaction very confidential, because we are still in active public service in south Africa.
And upon your request I will furnish you with the certificate of Deposit issued by the security company at the time of making the deposit. You may reply me on email (megadaba@zwallet.com or megadaba@lycos.com)
Sincerely,
MRS MARGARET ADABA.

Anti-fraud resources: