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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: "sgtirvinshawn" <sgtirvinshawn@terra.com.mx>
Date: Sat, 1 Jul 2006 05:06:03 -0600
Subject: Dear Friend


Dear Friend
Good day to you,
My name is Irvin Shawn I am an American soldier, serving in the military with the Third infantry Division in Iraq. Three years ago, we discovered some huge amount of money in Baghdad neighbourhood belonging to Saddam Hussein, I smuggled some part of these funds in two trunk boxes out of Baghdad, which is being kept safe in a secured finance company in Europe. You can go to this web link to read about events that took place here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
Basically, am writing you due to the situation I found myself and can not return back to America again because I was among five US soldiers questioned by military officials after some of that money was allegedly stolen, as I have absconded from US military and am now in exile.
I have killed in war and I found no peace anymore in where I am right now as I have been declared wanted by US Military.I have decided to look for someone like you to help me retrieve these funds from Finance Company in Europe and disburse this funds to any charity organisation on earth as I know that this will only be a way Almighty God can forgive me in all human killing I encounter during war.
In honesty, after claiming these two trunk boxes from security company in Europe, you shall have 10% of total funds, disburse 90% to four charity organisations on planet earth. Each box contain the sum of fifteen million United States Dollars. I do not want any money from these funds rather than spending all on humanity for me to have forgiveness of sins from Almighty God who seeth us all from above and that is why you must do this in honesty and trust, I shall seek for an assylum in any part of the world outside United States of America because I can not return back to my lovely country and I have been diagnosed of Cancer of Lungs and Oesophagus due to Bomb explosure I inhale duing my escape our of war.
I will send you certificates of deposit to enable you lay claim to these boxes on my behalf as soon as I hear from you.
My watch word is to trust you and ensure confidentiality, when you receive this letter, kindly reply me via this e-mail below:
sgtirvinshawn@inMail24.com
signifying your interest including your confidential telephone/fax numbers for quick communication and also your contact details (Job title and occupation).
Respectfully submitted
Sgt. Irvin Shawn.
(sgtirvinshawn@inMail24.com)
SINCERITY AND TRUST.

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