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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: "Annie Freeman" <anniefreeman4000@msn.com>
Reply-To: annietusfreeman4000@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 09:33:43 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend ,
 
I am Mr.Annietus Freeman,I am the account officer to Late Mr.Smith, in one of the reputable Banks in my country. who until his death was a contractor with an Oil Exploration Company. On the 21st of April 1999, my client, his wife and their three Children  were involved an accident. All
occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.
Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy and verious international organisation to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track a trustworthy person or persons hence I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 4 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are from the same  native country of the deceased, so that the proceeds of this account valued at $12million dollars can be paid to you and
then we will disburse as follows:
1) 40% to you.
2) 30% to me
3) 30% to your choice of Charity and humanitarian organizations in your country.
All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this project through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.Please know it that i am not the one to handle this transaction, a lawyer here in Nigeria will handle this cliam as i am still working with the bank.

God bless you.
Your partner to be
Mr.Annietus Freeman

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