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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: "Eliajh Marius" <mariuselijah2@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: elijah01marius@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 07 May 2007 21:29:41 +0000
Subject: Message from Marius

Message from Marius

Good day,

In a brief introduction, my name is Marius Elijah. My intention
of contacting you is to have a discussion with you regarding
my inheritance fund that I want you to assist me putting into
a profitable business line in your country since I will not be able
to handle it alone due to my under age/poor knowledge in
business. Below things will be discuss when I receive your reply
with your telephone number.

1) Your compensation percentage,
2) Field of business that will be good to put this money,
3) My re-settlement in your country and
4) About my further education in your country.

Urgently confirm the receipt of this message with your
direct telephone number to enable me call you immediately
and my inheritance fund involved will be disclosed to you.

I will be waiting for your reply as you finish reading this message.
Please, understand that this proposal require urgent attention from you.

Best regards,
Marius Elijah

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