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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: QUEEN WILLIAMS <info_togo_1@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2005 18:50:32 +0200
Subject: PLEASE BE MY FRIEND THROUGH THIS....


Greetings from queen,

I got your contact from our country's chamber of commerce through web search. I am Miss Queen Gnassingbe, the daughter of the late Togolese president (Mr. Gnassingbe Eyadema), who died of heart attack on the 5th of febuarary 2005 on a good Saturday.
After his death, my elder brother(Mr.Faure Gnassingbe),was quickly acknowledged as the new president of my country, and till date there are still outstanding problems and on steady decisions it really look like he is going to discontinue as the leader of my country. Due to this effect, i wish to move some funds lodged in by my late father before his death in an account in Europe to your country for a private investments abroad.

I am seeking for your trust to assist me move this funds into your country for private investments now, and i am assured in me that you are a trustworthy person that can not only assist me get the funds into your country alone, but also keep it safe for me until i come over to your country and we shall make proper arrangements for good investments together. I shall thank you after this funds has gotten into your country through your
assistance.

Please respond to my personal Email address: queen_william@cieux.zzn.com, if you do accept, But i will be deeply disappointed, if you do not accept but then would respect your decision.

Best regards.

Miss Queen Williams Gnassingbe Eyadema.

Anti-fraud resources: