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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.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: "stella johnson" <stella_johnson_5@msn.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 00:22:31 +0000
Subject: GET BACK TO ME

DEAR FRIEND
HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

MA AM VERY SORRY FOR THIS UNCONVINEC

MY NAME IS STELLA JOHNSON FROM LIBERIAL,

THE GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIAL HAS ARRESTED MY HOUSBAND
DUE TO THE PROBLEM THAT OCURE DURING THE TIME OF
PRESIDENT CHARLES TAYLOR. BEIN THAT MY HOUSBAND IS THE
P.A TO THE PRESIDENT AT THAT TIME, THE PRESENT
GOVERNMENT HAVE AS US TO SUMMIT ALL FOREGIN A/C WHICH
MY HOUSBAND HAS GIVING THEM SOME AND THEY ARE NOT
STILL SACTIFY. AND FOR THAT RESON THEY HAVE ASK ME ASK
THE WIFE NOT TO TRAVEL AND ALSO ASK ME TO STOP ALL THE
BUSINESS WHICH AM INTO BEFOR EVEN TO MAKE CALL IS A
PROBLEM TO ME I HAVE GIVEN A SECURITY TO BE WITH A
VERY DAY.

SIR MY AIM OF CONTACTING YOU IS TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP
IN THIS MATTER.
THIS ARE THE AREA WHICH I WANT YOU TO HELP ME ON.
MY HOUSBAND DEPOSSITED THE SUM OF $5M WITH A SECURITY
COMPANY IN UK WHICH I HAVE SPEAKING WITH THE SECURITY
TELLING THEM THAT I WILL SEND SOMEONE TO COME AND
CLAIM THE FUND ON OUR BEHALF SO THAT MY CHILDREN CAN
GO BACK TO THEIR SCHOLL.
SIR AS AM WRTING THIS MAIL TO YOU AM BEEN CAREFUL SO
THAT NO ONE WILL GET TO KNOW WHAT AM DOING, IT TAKES
ME ONE WEEK TO COMPOSE THIS MAIL AND SEND IT TO YOU
SIR DUE TO THE SECURITY THAT IS ALWAYS WITH ME.
THE PICTURE YOU SEE IS ME SIR, AND IF YOU HELP ME TO
GET THIS FUND OUT OF THE SECURITY COMPANY YOU WILL
TAKE 20% OUT OF TOTAL SUM, MIND YOU, YOU ARE NOT GOING
TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE LIBERIAL GOVERNMENT
ALL TRANSACTION WILL BE MADE IN EROUPE.
AND IF YOU CAN HELP PLS MAIL ME IN THIS BOX stella_johnson_5@yahoo.com
MAY GOD BLESS YOU, AND I WAIT YOUR REPLY SOON.

REGARDS
STELLA JOHNSON.

ALSO CHECK OUT THIS...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3538553.stm


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