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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: "Malik Alida" <aliddaa@livedoor.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2008 10:34:04 +0100
Subject: FROM MISS ALIDA


*Dear friend,*

* *

*Please, kindly permit me to share my problems with you.My name is Alida
Malik 21 year from Sudan, residing in Accra Ghana as refugee. I got your
contact through my search for a trustful person/company in Europe or U.S.A
that will assist me retrieve the sum of ($9.850m) with a Bank in Ghana which
i will give you the address and their details to proceed.*

*
And through my inquiry from the regional branch manger of the bank i was
told that the money (Nine Million eight hundred and fifty Eight thousand
dollars) was placed in escrow call account with my name as the beneficiary
so that no one can take the money except my family member. So my aim of
contacting you is to assist me to retrieve this money to your account as my
Family purchaser or my late fathers partner.*

*
My late Father was Killed by the Janjaweed Militias and my mother ran away
and left my little sister Cindy with me and my younger brother Henry she was
no way to be found until we managed and ran way with our little sister to
Ghana by the help of some peace keeper that came in my country. Please i am
trusting you to help me develop my future as the only surviving Children
myself and Henry my younger brother with our 2 year old little sister Cindy
of Late ALHAJI MALIK KHAREEM who was a miner and a big farmer in my country
before his death on his arrival at the airport from Paris the rebels short
him of which he died after 2 days in the hospital.*

*
I have the deposit slip regarding this money, which the bank has confirmed.
I cannot do this alone due to our present situation in Ghana as a refugee.
So I want you to come down to Accra Ghana to the bank and help me, as soon
as the money is into your account, I go with you to your country to continue
my education,as my country is still under crisis and i need to get away from
here.I will give you the deposit slip so that you can apply for the claim
immediately. I will send you my picture on your return mail.....
I wait for you very urgent please. *

*Alida Malik*

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