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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: "MR JAMES SILAS" <jamesilas@excite.com> (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2006 20:32:54 +0700
Subject: BUSINESS ASSISTANT

DEAR SIR,
With due respect and humility I send you this mail. Please I am indeed
sorry bothering you. Permit me a brief intoduction . I believe that on
the basis of such introduction you would understand the purpose of this
mail.
I am a professional financial advisor on offshore and real estate investment,
portfolio management with a private finance and security company in Thailand.
My company work for expatriate community here in Bangkok, Thailand. One of my client ,
Mr. Lee Kok Wai, a Singaporean business man deposited the sum of Sixteen Million,
Eight Hundred thousand United States Dollars (US$16.8M) with our company .
It was deposited as family treasures.
But sadly and unfortunately, Mr. Lee Kok Wai lost his life in the deadly Tsunami of December 26th 2004.
Ever since no close relative or next of kin has come forward to claim the money deposited with us.
Therefore, My colleague and I, who are the direct fund managers have decided to move/transfer this fund
into a nominated foreing account, for future investment. To this regards, I seek your assistance and co-operation
. 1. I will arrange for the deposit certificate to be changed to your name,
2.I will issue to you a Transfer Authorisation of the Consignment,
3. Afterwhich, you will transfer the money to your private accounts.
4. You will later on assist us in investing the money in a lucrative business.
You should be rest assured that no one will question it because all financial deposit Cerificates and transfe
r authorisation pass my desk for final approval To facilitate a smooth deal, we have agree on the followng
:1. 30% of the money for you as reward , 2. 5% For expenses on hotel ,
flight tickets and any other, 3. While, 65% shall be for us {My colleage and Me}.
For further details , send to me : 1. Your mobile phone number, 2. Your direct fax number
, this will enable me fax to you the documents concerning the consignment. This is a sensitive and private business,
The knowledge of which should be restricted , therfore do not dicsuss it with a third party . Do not fear, it is not terrorist
or drug money. I thank you in advance for reasoning with me. I look forward to your favorable reply.
Yours sincerely,
JAMES SILAS .



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