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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: "Mary Thomas" <mary_thomas_2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mary_thomas_kofi1@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:04:37 +0000
Subject: Gold Dust For Sale

Dear Sir,

I humbly wish to introduce myself to you. I am from the republic of Liberia
in Africa. I am presently living in Accra-Ghana with my brother. My late
father was a Vice President to Gold Mining Corporation in Liberia before he
died. I have with me ,954 kilograms of AU Metal Gold Dust, which my father
kept in the bank in Accra-Ghana as family treasure before he died.

While we were in Liberia last month during the burial of my mother I
discovered the certificate of deposit, which my father kept in the
underground safe, indicating the particular the bank where these items are
in Accra-Ghana.

I only want some one who is a God fearing man/Woman to assist us sell this
Gold in his/her country and further assist I and brother to further our
education in your country. We wish to sell each kilo for $10.500 USD. We
shall further need your help to invest part of the money into any business
you consider profitable.

20 % of the total sales have been map out for all your assistance. At your
request the document for the safekeeping shall be sent to you from the bank.

Please you should give me your private phone number so as to speak with you.
I look forward to hear from you soonest.
Best regard
Mary Thomas

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