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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: Stella Adams <s_adams6@hotmail.fr>
Reply-To: <stella_adams23@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2007 18:47:34 +0200
Subject: From Stella.



Dearest one, Miss Stella Adams

I am delighted to write to you. My name is Miss Stella Adams, I am 22 years old,I am sorry if this mail will come to you as an embarrassment or a surprise,I just felt like empting myself to you, after reading your profile,I decided to confide in you, as am faced with total frustration and hardship.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 and after the death of my father, our house was set ablaze,I was unable to meet my needs pay my bills, accommodation and To continue with my Education in my dilemma which was another reason for going to the camp,where I could at least feed and sleep as I did not know anyone here.I take permission to go to the town where they haveinternet access to enable me correspond with you,I also indulge in sweeping there so that I can earn some money to at least feed. Before the unfortunate death, my late father had with him the sum of $18.4m. which he deposited with a Bank here in Abidjan On behalf of his foriegn partner with the hope of investing it abroad but as fate may have it he died without giving any name as the foriegn partner hence i am oblidged to use any name as my name was only used as the next of kin according to the agreement he made with the bank on the day of the deposit, As a result of the present insecurity of lives and property in this country, I wish request that you assist me out by recieving this Money to your country. Again to assist me with a letter of invitation that will make me get a visa to your country for residence in order for me to continue my education and to invest the fund in a viable business venture. I am willing to give you 20% while 5% has been earmarked for expenses. If this is acceptable to you, send me a mail through my regular e-mail account so that we can discuss further on this matter.I am totally frustrated that my whole mind for now lies on my survival which is securing this money. 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 wait to hear from you.

ThanksYour's Truthful,Miss Stella Adams
_________________________________________________________________
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