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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: "DESMOND WILFRED" <desmondwilfred2@msn.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2005 01:02:25 +0000
Subject: HELLO

From The Desk Of Mr Desmond Wilfred
MD/CEO Financial Consultant,
Federal Republic Of Nigeria.

ATTN: PRESIDENT/CEO

I have interest of investing in your country as such I decided to
establish a contact with you for assistance as soon as I am able to
transfer my funds for this investment, which is already with a
security company in Europe.
There are two basic things i would want you to assist me in;
(1) Helping me as a front to collect these consignment/funds from
the security company in Europe.
This is because of my inability to travel out of the country which
i am
taking refuge at the moment with my wife and children which i will
explain
better to you upon the receipt of your acceptance.
(2)Helping me to carry out feasibility study on areas/choice of
investment
you deem best for me.
I retired as financial consultant and was the last personal financial
adviser to the ex- head of state before his demise and have no
intention of
carrying out any
further investment programme in my country for security reasons.
Note:If you can not travel to Europe for the clearing of the
consignment,i can still make an arrangement for the delivering of the
consignment to your door step through my attorney.
Enclosing your telephone and fax numbers for easy communication.
You can email me back as soon as you recieve this proposal for more
information.

Thanks,
Yours sincerely,
Mr Desmond Wilfred


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