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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 about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Stella & Jerry <mrs_stelllas@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mrs_stellas@yahoo.de
Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 23:53:26 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dearest one


Dearest one

we work with one of the reputable and recommendend bank here as an (Assistant Auditor),in the discharge of my duty,I stumbled on this domiciliary account that has remained dormant for three years now with Seven million dollars (US$7m) in the account.

we sent out staffs for enquiries and discovered that the account holder died in an accident.
On this note; I am writing you to work together in alliance with me so that the money will be remit to you as the next of kin because this money belongs to a foreigner and it must be claimed by a foreigner.

I guarantee this transaction under a legitimate arrangements that will
not breach the law by both parties, it is simple process which will take a short while to pocess.

Confirm the receipt of this message for more details.

Sincerely,
Ms.Stellas M..
Dr. Jerry Berick.

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