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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: "dom maqy" <dommay23@msn.com>
Reply-To: dommay202@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2005 12:20:54 +0000
Subject: URGENT

Dear sir/madam

I am Dom May and I represent Mr. Mikhail Khordokovsky the former C.E.O of
Yukos Oil Company in Russia. I have a very sensitive and
confidential brief from him to ask for your partnership in re-profiling
funds in a private bank investment portfolio in Western Europe.

I will give the details, but in summary, the funds are coming via Bank
Menatep in Russia. This is a legitimate transaction. You will be paid 5%
of the portfolio investment value as your "management fees". If you are
interested, please write back to me via my private E-mail and provide me
with your confidential Mobile phone number, fax number and Occupation and I
will provide further details and if you are satisfied I can
proceed with the instructions.

Please we can not afford any political problems because of recent events in
Russia. So I willadvice you keep this to your self.Finally, please
note that this must be concluded within reasonable time frame therefore your
prompt reply is essential.

Write me back. I look forward to it.

DOM MAY



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