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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: "William Clark" <williammailers@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: clarkmailers@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 11:38:06 -0800
Subject: Prompt Response Needed.

Good day to you.
I have to start by introducing myself to you. I am William Clark, the Assistant Head of Delegation to the Government of Sao Tome & Principe in West Africa for the Consortium of Chevron Texaco, ExxonMobil and Dangote-Energy Equity Resource EER, in Sao Tome & Principe Joint Venture Development Area.

I am contacting you for assistance in a transaction, which involves USD16.4M deposited in a security company in Europe. Sincerely, I would want us to discuss more on this transaction as partners because it involves a certain amount which the code of conduct bureau forbids me from possessing based on my position as a public servant in my country.
Nevertheless, once your interest is indicated in a return mail, more details on this transaction would be made known to you. Also certified documents that would be needed would be provided as well.
Finally, I do look forward to a positive response from you.
Thank you for an anticipated co-operation.
Yours faithfully
William Clark



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