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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: Alax taylo <alax02@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <alextaylo_2007@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 12:29:16 -0700
Subject: Dear,TRUS ONE



Plain Text Attachment [ Scan and Save to Computer |Save to Yahoo! Briefcase ]
Dear,
I am Alex, son of former liberian president CharlesGhankay Taylor.My family have USD$32million to invest, the fund is deposited ina security company and we need a trusted foreigner that will assist usinvest this fund. www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/06/10/liberia.taylor/index.html
For security purpose reply on alextaylor_2007@yahoo.com
Alex Taylor.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources: