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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: "Mohammed Aliu" <mohammedaliu@msn.com>
Reply-To: muhammedaaliu@yahoo.com.sg
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 12:03:40 +0000
Subject: Hello




Dear friend,
My name is Mohammed Aliu  a merchant in
London,United Kingdom. I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and have
been in the hospital for a very long time.  and right now I have about few months to live, according to the medical experts.

I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it till date. Now that God is calling
me, I have willed and shared most of my properties and assets to my
immediate and extended family members,including few close friends.

I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth before Gods call.

I have left for them.The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge
cash deposit of eighteen million pounds (£18.000.000)that I have with a finance and trust Company in Europe. I would want you to help me collect this deposit on my behalf and distribute it to charity organizations in your country.I would want you to keep 10% of the funds to yourself and share the rest to charity organizations in your
country.

Reply this email as soon as possible even if you are not capable to
handle this transaction on my behalf. My regards and Love to you and your
family members.hope to hear from you.
God be with you,
  
Mohammed Aliu.

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