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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: harrisonandmarie@internet.lu
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 10:39:47 +0100
Subject: hi.

Dearest,

I am marie George, i and my little brother lost our father a couple of a years back, and some months ago. My father was a serving director of the Cocoa exporting board until his untimelly death.He was assassinated last january 2003 by the rebels following the political uprising. Before his death he had a foreign account here in Côte d'Ivoire up to the tune of( $14.5M) which he told the bank was for the importation of cocoa processing machine.I want you to do us a favour to act on our behalf as our late fathers foregine buisness patener.

We will offer you 15% of the total sum, and 5% for any expences you may incure during the transfer, and you will invest the rest for me and my brother in your country.I have plans to do investment in your country, we will like to invest in real estate and industrial production. This is my reason for contacting you. Please if you are willing to assist us, indicate your interest in replying me soonest.

Thanks and best regards .
marie George and brother harrison.

Anti-fraud resources: