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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: Mrs Marian Taylor <mrsmariantaylor@netscape.net>
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 16:35:05 +0200
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE



Dear Friend,
It is quite very much true that my mail/letter might have come to you as a
surprise. Equally, it is with a heart full of sorrow that I?m writing you,
thus soliciting for your assistance at this present time of distress.
I am Mrs. MARIAN TAYLOR, wife to the former president of Liberia (in person
of Mr. Charles Taylor), who is currently on exile at the Federal Republic of
Nigeria together with his family.
Having source your address through the World Wide Web (Internet). I have no
doubt about your capability and competence to assist me in receiving into
your custody (for safety purpose) the sum of US$12.3M. (Twelve Million,
Three Hundred Thousand United State Dollars), which my husband has set
aside, for future upkeep of the family.
However, due to the recent crises and looting activities being perpetrated
and carried out by the rebels, who have succeeded in toppling my husband's
government in our country (Liberia), the above said sum of money, which was
deposited in a trust deposite account with a West Africa Sub-regional
Finance and Security Company (WASFSC) in Liberia is now presently insecure
with the career (WASFSC), following the recent plan and various moves by the
present Liberian government to confiscate the money.
In view of this prevailing situation, I here-by appeal and solicit for your
kind hearted assistance, to assist me receive into your custody the above
said sum of money (US$12.3M) for safety purpose. Thus saving the family from
further helpless future. Also you must know that this transaction is
subjected to the following terms/conditions.

1. My conviction of your transparency, honesty, and diligency.
2. That you would treat this transaction with utmost secrecy and
confidentiality.
3. That the fund would be transfered into an account where you would have
absolute control over it.

Moreover, with respect to your compensation, I would appreciate it if you
could let me know what your consideration would be for your assistance (I
mean your percentage share expected). In view of this, I thus demand that
you treat this fund transfer confidentially and urgently, as I here-by look
forward to your reply by sending to me your personal datas including your
telephone and fax #through my e-mail address.

Remain Bless.
Mrs. Marian Taylor.

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