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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: cyril ramaphosa <cyrilramaramaph41@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <privateramacyrillll@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2007 07:36:24 -0600
Subject: GREETINGS MY DEAR FRIEND.



08/10/2007.Greetings, My name is CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, Director and head of computing department here in my bank.I have only written to seek your indulgence and assistance. I wish to make a transfer involving a huge amount of $43,000,000USD (FORTY-THREE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS). I am proposing to make this transfer to a designated bank account of your choice.Thus, for your indulgence and support, I propose an offer of 40% of the total amount to be yours after the transfer has been concluded.Kindly reply me stating your interest, and I shall furnish you with the details and necessary procedure with which to make the transfer. I am anxiously awaiting your response Kind RegardsCYRIL. YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT ME THROUGH MY ALTERNATIVE EMAIL(private@mighty.co.za)
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