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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: "howard jones" <howard_jones72@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:38:08 +0100
Subject: Investment.

Dear friend,

My name is Mr. Howard Jones, a citizen of North Korea. I am one of the
defectors who fled the North Korea to escape execution because of my
democratic belief and condemnation of the autocratic rule of the government.
I am currently residing as a refugee in Vietnam without traveling documents.
Before my escape from North Korea, I was into currency exchange, a business
that afforded me
the privilege of traveling to London in 2004, where I exchanged and
deposited a total sum of $5.5Million in the safe custody of a finance house
in London.

I have tried unsuccessfully to secure a travel document to London to access
my funds, as we are being restrained here at the refugee camp by the
Vietnamese government who believe we are security threats. A lot of
defectors who are fortunate to have escaped from North Korea with cash, have
been able to bribe their way through the security network, and are now in
Canada, the United States and other European countries.

Hopefully, I may find my way to London very soon to access my funds. But
before then, I would like you to guide me through viable investment
opportunities available in your country, so that I can move my funds from
London to your
country for investment with you as my partner. Preferably, I like to invest
in your line of business or area of business knowledge and experience.

If you are interested to assist and work with me on this proposal, please
write back with your acceptance and suggestions. We are restricted only to
email communication here at the refugee camp. But I will endeavor to send
you a copy of my refugee status ID and documentary evidence of the funds for
your assurance. This is an appeal to your believe in justice, freedom and
love for humanity.

We are mostly atheist in Korea, but my little contact with the west has
convinced me that there is an almighty God, and I hereby call on Him to
incline your heart to help me. May God bless you.

Best Regards,

Howard Jones

_________________________________________________________________
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