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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: "MARTIN ACQUAH." <marwenmartin3@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 1980 01:58:23 -0800
Subject: BE OF GOOD HELP TO ME

INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE
My name is MARTIN ACQUAH. A civil servant with the government of my country Ghana,situated in the western part of Africa. I,also have a Gold mining company which I am the managing Director.
This company was established in 1992 during the time my brother,DR.PAUL A. ACQUAH, was the governor of the bank of Ghana.Having worked for so many years,have the knowledge that very soon I will be retired from service and,observation have made me to know that those who did not plan very well before retirement always end up nothing dejected and rejected. So,I have decided to invest the little money that I have acquired over the years into something that will yield profit to me.
The amount is $15.7m US. And I am prepared to part with 15% of this amount to you if you will assist me.I will be happy if you can also help me to get addmission into a very nice university for my son who will be representing me over there for the time been.If you are ready to help,an account will be opened in your name there after be transfered to where you choose. The money is safely deposited with security company and I did not declare what was inside it.
Thanks, yours
MARTIN ACQUAH


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