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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: lina williams <linawilliams_56@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 08:57:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: help


Dearest One,

Good a thing to write you. I have a proposal for you-this however is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honour against your will.

I am Mrs Lina Williams, the wife of Mr.George Williams My Husband was a highly reputable business magnet-(a cocoa merchant) who operated in the capital of Ivory coast during his days.

It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously after one of his business trips abroad .Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by his uncle who travelled with him at that time.

Before his death he called me in the hospital and told me that he has the sum of fifteen million, five hundred thousand United State Dollars in a trunk box(USD$15.500,000) Which he deposited in one of the Security company here in Cote D’Ivoire West Africa.

Now I am just a widow with two children, and really don't know what to do now, I want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory coast. The death of my Husband actually brought sorrow to my life.

I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded and I will like you to come down here if possible so that we can meet face to face and I will take you to the security company were my late husband deposited the trunk box which contents the money. Now permit me to ask these few questions:

1. Can you honestly help me as a widow ?

2. Can I completely trust you ?

3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the fund is been transferred to your care?

Thanks and God bless you for helping me and my kids. Please you can get back to me through my personal Email : ladylinawilliams@yahoo.com

My sincere regards,
Mrs Lina Williams.


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