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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: Dorothy Sounkanin <dorothy_souk@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:23:21 +0100 (CET)
Subject: Greeting for today / Very Important


FROM THE DESK OF
Mrs. Dorothy Sounkanin

Dearest one,
I am Dorothy Sounkanin the wife of the formal head of state the Federal Republic of Sierra Leone Late General Ibrahima Sounkanin.
Following the sudden death of my husband General Ibrahima Sounkanin the late former head of state of Sierra Leone in June 1999, I have been thrown into a state of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness by the present civilian administration, I have been subjected to physical and psychological torture by the security agents in the country.
I have lost confidence with anybody within the country. You must have heard over the media reports and the internet on the recovery of various huge sums of money deposited by my husband in different security firms abroad, some companies willingly give up their secrets and disclosed our money confidently lodged there or many out right blackmail. In fact the total sum discovered by the Government so far is in the tune of $350. Millions dollars. And they are not relenting to make me poor for life.

I got your contacts through my personal research, and out of desperation decided to reach you. I will give you more information as to this regard as soon as you reply. I repose great confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security network placed on my day affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy so that is why I decided to contact you and I hope you will not betray my confidence in you. I have deposited the sum of 25.3 millions dollars with a security firm abroad whose name is with held for now until we open communication.

I shall be grateful if you could receive this fund into your account for safe keeping. This arrangement is known to you and my son Mussah Sankho alone who have just been relised by the Federal Government , so my son will deal directly with you as security is up my whole being. I am seriously considering to settle down abroad in a friendly atmosphere like yours as soon as this fund get into your account so that I can start all over again if only you wish, but if it is impossible, just help me indiverting this fund into your account which will accrue you 30% of this fund . Please honestly is the watch word in this transaction. I will give you a more detailed picture of things.
In case you don't accept please do not let me out to the security as I am giving you this information in total trust and confidence I will greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith. Please expedite action.
Sincerely yours


Dorothy Sounkanin



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