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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. MARY MEYER." <mrs_mary_meyer@mighty.co.za> (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 13:13:44 +0200
Subject: YOUR ASSISTANCE IS HIGHLY NEEDED.

FROM: MRS. MARY MEYER.
EMAIL: mrs_mary_meyer@mighty.co.za
ATTN: Sir,
ASSISTANT REQUIRED
Dearest Friend,

I am Mrs. Mary Meyer from Ivory Coast. I am a widow being that I lost my husband a couple of years ago. My husband was a serving director of
the Cocoa exporting board until his death . He was assassinated on August 2003 by the rebels following the political uprising.


My husband told me before his death that he has a deposit of (US$40M MILLION) in a SECURITY AND FINANCE COMPANY in South Africa and
handed to me all the documents which my Lawyer has confirmed. which was for the importation of cocoa processing machine. Note, according to
my late husband the money is in a trunk box and he did not disclose to the security company the real content of the box he did it to reduce the
cost of demourage fees and for the safety of the fund according to him, he decleard to the security company that the box contains a family
valuables. The money was deposited in a box as Gemstone and Gold to avoid much demurrage from the Security Company. Therefore I have
designated my family lawyer who will coordinate every aspect of the fund transfer and the investment with your assistance.

Right now I am looking for an Investor who will help me to invest the total sum in the west and after which I will relocate to your country.

I want you to do me a favour, to help me invest this fund in a benefitable investment in your country as I do not have any knowledge of
investment, that will be after we retreive it from the security company. I have plans to do investment in your country, like real estate and
industrial production.

This is my reason for writing to you. Please if you are willing to assist me and my only son Francoise, indicate your interest in replying soonest or
contact my son Francoise on his phone number (0027-839-475-362)

Thanks and best regards .

Mrs. Mary Meyer.



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