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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: guel florence <guel@guel.orangehome.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 18:26:16 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: YOUR ASSISTANCE NEEDED


YOUR ASSISTANCE NEEDED
REPLY TO Email :- florenceguel@mail.wowmail.com or florenceguel4@cashette.com
Attn:Dearest one,

MY name is Miss Florence Guel, daughter of the former military ruler of Ivory coast who was murdered by agents of this present government.After my fathers death,all of our properties were seized by the goverment,and we are still being hunted by agents of this goverment. Since I am the only surviving member of my family, I have decieded to confide in a reliable person that can help me out of my present situation, based on what my late father told me before he died. I am presently seeking political asylum in the Netherlands, and since the law does not permit me on money transaction in such amount, decided to seek for your assistance.
Before my late father died, he told me about a trunk box that he deposited in a security company in the Netherlands Europe in my name, inside this trunk box is US$25,000,000.00(Twenty-five million United States Dollars Only) and I am the beneficiary of this fortune. This is where I need your help to move this money out for safe keeping in your country where I can invest and continue with my education. I have contacted the security company and they have acknowledged that the box is in there possession and that I can claim it whenever I am ready.
My late-father deposited and registered the box as containing family valuables as not to attract the attention of the company's staff or more dummurage bills. I am willing to give 20% to you for your efforts, if you can help me claim this box, 5% will be set aside for what ever expenses that may be incured in claiming the box. I have contacted a Lawyer whom I will give you his contact as soon as you agreed to help, to forward an a goodwill agreement between you and I before sending it to the Security company for claims. And all other valid documents as the time of deposit will be forwarded to you as soon as you agree to talk with the security company who are the custodian of the consignment.
I sincerely hope that you can be kind enough to help me, i will also appeal to you that because of who I am, I will like for this information to be kept stictly CONFIDENTIAL because of my safety,as soon as you retrieve the box , I will come over to your country , while you will be incharge of the investment .
I pray that God will give you the wisdom to help Me,
Thank you very much,
Florence Guel (miss)
florenceguel@mail.wowmail.com

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