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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael William" <michaelwilliams404@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2005 12:32:13 +0200
Subject: Urgent family Assitance!

>From : Michael Williams
TEL: +27737707042
FAX: +27838908518

URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL
Kindly accept my apology for sending my email to you. I want you to
trust me and help me and my family out in this our condition. Though, I do
not
know what extent you are familiar with event and fragile political situation
in Liberia, but it has formed consistent headline in the CNN, BBC news
bulletins.
My Name is Mr Michael Williams from Liberia, a Country in West
Africa. My late father is Benson Nuhan Williams, Deputy Minister of public
Works in Liberia. My father was falsely accused of plotting to remove the
President Of Liberia, Charles Taylor from office. Without trial, Charles
Taylor
killed him. You can verify this from some of the International newspapers
posted in the web sites below:
htt://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2003-07-15-liberia_x.htm
Before my father was killed, he move out $16 million dollars through a
diplomatic means, and deposited it with a Security Firm in
Johannesburg, South Africa. All that is required, from you is to come down
to South
Africa where we are presently staying to assist us as a foriegn partner in
the
clearing and transfer of the fund out of South Africa and advise me on
lucrative areas of investment of which you will be the caretaker till I am
familier with your
country. And also assist me in purchase of properties in your country.
If you are interested to assist me in this regard, I will give you 40%
of the total sum and 5% will be for any expenses you undergo during the
transaction and 55% for my family and your family business partnership
under your care in your country. You should please kindly include your
private Telephone and Fax numbers for easier communication.
Waiting for your urgent reply

Mr Michael Williams



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