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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: mavis sabata <mavis_1sabata89@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mavis_1sabata1@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2007 04:56:04 +0000
Subject: Dear Friend,


Dear Friend,I am very sorry to trouble you with my problem. My name is Mavis Sabata the daughter of Chief Patrick Sabata of Sudan,I am 22 years old girl from Darfur Sudan. I am an orphan in a refugee camp in Ghana My parents and two brothers was killed in the war in Darfur, I was able to escape to Ghana with my younger sister. My Dad was a notable politician in my country before he was killed during the war,I discovered that my dad had some money which he deposited in a bank here in Ghana. The money is about forty eight million five hundred thousand US Dollars. After we came to Ghana, we were granted a political asylum,then I went to the bank and demanded for the release of the money which my dad deposited with them. they told me to provide a valid account in your country for the transfer of the money because according to them, the agreement my Dad had with them stated that the fund will be transfered to your country anytime it will be released,I don't have anyone there that is why i need you to assist me in the transfer of the fund to your destination. And as a Child of God I know I will be safe in your care. My plans is to relocate from Ghana with my sister to your country where we will be more safe and get a better schooling, but I will need to move out the money left by my Dad. Once I move the money out to your place,I will like to pay my tithe and then you will help me to invest the money into real estate and properties. I have all the necessary documents to help us transfer it to your destination legally without any trouble. I am willing to compensate you with 30% of the money for helping us if you are ready to assist us. Please the earlier you help us the better because our life is no more safe here. I am sending a copy of my picture for you. Please write back and let me know if you can help me or not. Waiting for your favorable reply. Thank you
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