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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: "Mrs Janet Garang" <janet4realgarang@hotmail.com> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 08:45:20 +0700
Subject: KINDLY GIVE THIS AN OFFICIAL AND URGENT ATTENTION

Dear Sir,
In the first place I wish to introduce my self to you I am Mrs. Janet Garang, the wife of Lieutenant Colonel John Garang Hinga the Leader of Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) one of the leading political parties in Sudan, which was formed, in 1983. My late husband died during the out brake of the recent civil war in Sudan.
Before his death, he held many important offices which includes being the prime minister in a coalition government between 1986 to 1989. He also was the leader of the Umma Party a strong political organization in Sudan. After his tenure as coalition prime minister, he was made to be in-charge of the payment of Sudanese Media communications department in 2001.
My husband was killed by a group known as Sadiq al Mahdi at the on set of the civil war while fighting for the liberation of the Sudanese people from the hands of a dictatorship government.! I am 41 years old now and seriously ill although I am now receiving treatment in a hospital here in Thailand. During the period of our marriage we were blessed with a male child by name Mr. Minja John Hinga, who is here taking care of me.
After the death of my husband, I inherited a huge amount of money ( US$5.5million US dollars) which my late husband deposited with a Security Company in Thailand for safe keeping. I decided to contact you to assist me and my son to claim this money from where it was deposited and probably guide us in investing the fund in a worthwhile flourishing business over there. I hereby ask for your help and assistance.
Although I am a novice in business, I have an eye on real estates properties. Your advice on other areas of private sector will be highly appreciated. I believe that you would be of great help in guiding my son to a successful business investment in your country even when I am gone.
I will appreciate if you will show interest in collaborating! with us, as this transaction will benefit both of us on joint venture partnership. Furthermore I am ready to give you a good negotiable percentage cash reward for your assistance. Detailed information on other proceedings will be made available to you upon receiving your reply showing interest in collaborating with us as I look forward to your urgent reply. We may need your personal telephone numbers for more information.
Sincerely Yours,
Mrs. Janet Garang


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