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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: mary allen <sandramaryallen29@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <mary22allen@katamail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:51:32 +0200
Subject: Dearest



Dearest I am delighted to write to you. My name is Mary Sandra Allen, I am sorry if this mail will come to you as an embarrassment or a surprise, I just felt like empting myself to you ,I decided to confide in you, as am faced with total frustration and hardship. My Ernest prayer is that you find this mail in good health and blessings. I am presently residing in Abidjan,Cote d'Ivoire.I left my country with my father after the death of my mother during the war in our country and we came here because my father owned a business here,(cocoa business), during the going political crisis here which has turn out into a civil war since 2003,my father was attacked and killed here at the hit of the crisis as the rebels were killing prominent foreigners with the reason that they were financially supporting the government against them and the rebels are accusing the government of doing the killing. Presently,I am staying in a REFUGEE camp assisted by the Red cross organisation, due to the way which the camp is securitized by united nations forces and after the death of my father, our house was set ablaze, I was unable to meet my needs pay my bills and accommodation and in my dilemma which was another reason for going to the camp, where I could not at least feed and sleep as I did not know anyone here. I take permission to go to the town where they have internet access to enable me correspond with you. Secondly, my late father confided in me before his death the sum of $8.5 million dollars which he deposited with a bank here in cote d'ivoire.I will want you to help me see that this fund is transfered out of this country because of the war here.My father confided so much in me after the death of my mother,we were so close that he never did anything without my knowledge and opinion. All that I want is your sincere and genuine help in helping me to see that this fund is transfered to your account in your country were you will also help me invest this fund in a very good business as soon its been transfered to your account.I cannot allow the money remain here, why, because of the war here which possess a great risk to as my life and future solely lies on it. If you have heard from the news for the past few months now there has been intense fighting and bombing by the French troops which I will like to live here as soon as we have this money moved out of this country.I will also like to know if you can come down here for this assistance but if you cant come,i will also suggest you ask the bank to provide you with a lawyer that will represent you here because am a small girl and i really dont know much about transaction.I know that this is our first mail, but I have decided to confide in you from the choice of your word on your profile. I want you to know that for years now, I have lived inabsolute frustration,tires and pains without any person around me, no parent, uncles or friend, but God had kept me until now, which I believe that I will smile once again.Thirdly, I do not want to attach myself to you out of desperation so that I do not get used rather I intend you helping me to see that this money as I intend living for your country to start an entire new life and complete my education, as you will have to help in the investment of this money. But I really need your help at this trial and difficult time of mine. I am totally frustrated that my whole mind for now lies on my survival which is securing this money.Finally,i am going to give you 20% of the total money for your assistance.Please I am confiding completely in you and I really need your assistance at this point of my life as you alone knows of this venture. I have enclosed my copies of my personal pictures and my late father's pictures for your view while I will expect to have yours in return. I wait to hear from you. Thank you. e-mail me :(mary_allen@katamail.com) Mary
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