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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: susan martins <susmart_02@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 May 2006 09:18:30 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: URGENT REPLY


Dear Cecilia,

I write to conform if you receive the power of attorney.I tried to talk to you via telephone but it seem the line was hook with the answering machine and was saying that l should hold on.l hold on for about 30 mins without hearing any voice.
I will try again tommorrow evening by 6PM Greece time which will be about 4PM(GMT) in UK.Confirm your telephone number again to me or if you have another one you can equally give to me.
Waiting to hear from you.

Best regards,
Susan




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