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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: "frank smith" <fkst11@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: sfrank@personal.ro
Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2006 06:13:07 +0000
Subject: From Ar-ramadi Iraq

Hello Sir/Madam,

I 'm very sorry to interrupt your peace Since you're not expecting to
receive any mail from me. However, I was obliged to do so due to the
importance and urgency of the message. I crave your indulgence, and want to
reasure you that I mean well and that it is only for our mutual good. So
please don,t be embarrassed as this's the only way I could make contact to
you.

My name is Frank Smith, a Journalist attached to the United Kingdom
military. I 'm writing this message from Ar-ramadi in Iraq. We have moved
around a few times building up F.O.B. around the western side of the country
as well as missions into Baghdad, with attacks by insurgents everyday and
car bombs, we managed to move funds belonging to Saddam Hussein’s family
which we found in his palace after his arrest, The total amount is US$25
Million dollars in cash, 100 dollar bills. We want to move this money out of
Iraqi, since it's a war zone although partially ended but the daily
activities of suicide bombers is frighteningly on the increase.

I reached an agreement with the members of my team and we agreed to keep
this money to ourselves and then moved the box out of Iraq to Europe (we
have also concluded plans to move the money with help of some diplomatic
officers.With their immunity as officials they're not searched at borders or
Airports). Now, I 'm in need of anybody or company overseas whom I can
confidently work with since my work does not permit me to own a foreign bank
account or any personal business until retirement. I have not finished my
assignment and cannot return to the UK now.

I have the honor to confide this information in you and to request for your
pleasure to assist in receiving and secure the money, pending our
retirement from service. You are therefore expected and advised to display
high degree of maturity,responsibility and understanding in handling this
information. I will give you all the details in my next mail when you have
indicated your interest and commitment to work with me.

I hope you will honor me too. We can come over to join you for sharing and
to guarantee that we have unlimited access to you. Moreso for an effective
and easy communication I will advice that you furnish me with your phone
numbers and other necessary details to make me rest assured that you are
geniune.

I eagerly await your positive response.

Best regards,

Respectfully,

FRANK SMITH
Reporting from Ar-ramadi Iraq


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