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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: martin alberto <martinbalberto010@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mart_alberto1@yahoo.com.br>
Date: Mon, 28 May 2007 17:22:12 +0100
Subject: Good Day



My Dear Friend

This letter must come to you as a big surprise, but I believe it is only a day that people meet and become great friends and business partners. My name is Mr Martin Alberto , I am 55 years old. Presently the Director of finance, in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Republic of Benin. I have worked in this Ministry for years and I will retire this year to start my own business. Now, I need your very kind assistance for the transfer of Fifteen Million United State Dollars (US$15m) to your account. Source: The sum arose from over-inflated contract awarded by My Ministry to a foreign firm. We have fashioned out a foolproof plan to successfully transfer the funds to an account belonging to a foreigner who will act as the beneficiary. We want to front you as the beneficiary to this funds. This business is safe, 100 % free risk and confidential and my colleagues have trust in me in getting a foreign partner for the transfer of this fund. I intend to invest my own share in any profitable business in your country, so that after my retirement I will not suffer. If this proposal is acceptable to you, and also include your private telephone number for easy communication and directives. Thanks and God bless You.

Yours Truly,

Mr. Martin Alberto
_________________________________________________________________
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