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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: "dr wong chenghai sino steel tradi" <drwong_sinosteel@138mail.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Jul 2006 20:00:41 +0800
Subject: Re: private email address

i am very happy meeting people with similar orientation. I am from hong kong but my mum is an african.I run a company that is into manufacturing and sales of chemical compounds here im hong kong.We have customers all over europe and america.It cost me more to move around to collect funds owed me by my customers
and so I need your assistance in collecting money from my customers that are in your area.I know that you are a very busy person but if you are interested, you would be paid comission on every payment you recieve on our behalf.if you are interested, you should send us the following information about you...
Name
Full address
Occupation
Bank name
account number
copy of a valid form of identity
Phone number
This would enable our customers reach you.One love brother
awaiting your response
Dr wong chenghai
MD SinoSteel Trading Company hong kong.
NB:Based on your background as a prophet of truth, we can entrust our funds with you.

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