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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: "Cecilia Odinga" <luisferrcosta@sapo.pt> (may be fake)
Reply-To: cecinga1@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2006 15:55:53 +0200
Subject: PLEASE VERY URGENT


Greetings dear
I am writting this to you with due respect and equally with heartful of tears and sorrows since we have not known or met ourselves previously.Please, i mean no harm to you only that i am in a desperate situation and need urgent help. After going through this mail,it will be your decision,whether to help me or to leave me to my fate, but whatever you decide, bear in mind,i am in trouble and need your help. I am asking for your assistance after I have gone through a profile that speaks good of you. I will be so glad if you can allow and lead me to the right channel towards your assistance to my situation.I will make my proposal well known if I am given the opportunity. I would like to use this opportunity to introduce myself to you.I am Cecilia Odinga 21 years old girl,the only daughter of Dr.Samuel Odinga.My father is now late,he died during the last crisis in my country (Liberia) West Africa.He was one of the high officers in the leade!
rship of formal president Charles Taylor who is now in exile after many innocent souls were killed ,My father was unlucky to be among those that were killed by the rebel. The main reason why I am contacting you now is to seek for your assistance in the area of my future investment and also for a help hand over of some huge amount of money in my possession. This money (US7.6Million) was deposited some years ago by my father, he made me the sole beneficiary.
Please,I am now asking you to stand on my behalf to make this claim,to stand as my partner oversea and in time of the investment as well. As I have mention earlier I will make the procedure to this issue to be well known to you if you give me the opportunity to do so. Pls attach your direct contact information as you reply to me.
Thanks and remain bless
Cecilia



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