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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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Fraud email example:

From: "mark F" <mm120005@msn.com>
Reply-To: mm120005@in-box.net
Date: Fri, 04 Nov 2005 17:22:06 +0000
Subject: CAN YOU HELP!

Dear Friend,

Please accept my apology for contacting you this way which was due to the
urgency of my request I am rather in a very precarious situation that
warrants my talking very little till I confirm our buisness relationship.

If it is money please that would be no problem, I just need to know you have
the capacity to handle large funds and you can be trusted.

Presently I am in the tight clutches of my native government who has amongst
other things clamped my company and my freedom all in abid to finance its
reform programmes.

The internet for now is my only uncensored link to the outside world and I
would appreciate it if you take me very seriously.You would be well
renumerated for your
effort and assistance.

Hoping to hear soonest from you.

Regards,
Mark Foday


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