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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "MISS PATRICIA" <pat_siki@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:30:17 +0100
Subject: Greeting from patricia

Dear,
I am Miss Patricia Siki from sierra leonian .I am 25 years
old and presently residing in Dakar-Senegal because
of the political crisis in my Country. I got your
contact in strict confidence through Senegal Chamber
of Commerce. I would Honestly want to seek for an
immediate assistance from you, I have $7.5 Million US
dollars belonging to my late Father Mr David Tony
who was held bondage by the Rebels during the crisis
and was letter killed.
I ran to Senegal refugee Camp when I Discovered
danger to my life and that of my only youger brother Prince
untill the death of my beloved father he paked the
above mentioned Amount in a METAL TRUNK BOX and
deposdit it with a SECURITY COMPANY in Europe for safe
keeping i have every Documents regards the transaction
I have contacted the SECURITY COMPANY and confirmed
the safety of the money/inheritance,

As it is, I have the intention of investing the money
oversees and however needed a Foreigner who is capable
of giving adequate assistance to me by the way of
clearing the money from the SECURITY COMPANY and
thereafter forwarding it to your Account for
investments. I have nice percentage of the money for
you. If Necessary, Please do feel free to ask me
questions on this as I wait
for your reply soonest.

Thanks
Miss Patricia


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