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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: Mr John Williams <johwilliams20@hotmail.fr>
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2007 03:28:31 +0100
Subject: Contact my secretary



Dearest friend,Season Greeting from Mr John Williams who contacted you long ago, I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund Now, I want you to contact my secretary on the information below:NAME: Victor ObiEMAIL; victor_obis2@yahoo.itAsk him to send you the total sum of ($800,000.00) Eight Hundred Thousand United State Dollars CASHIER'S CHEQUE, which I kept for your compensation CONTACT THE SECRETARY ON this :NAME: Victor ObiEMAIL; victor_obis2@yahoo.it
Regards,Mr John Williams
_________________________________________________________________
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