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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: Anja de Jager <adejager@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:28:32 +0000
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED!!!!



Hey, i'm in a hurry writing this mail. I had a trip to Nigeria visiting the Tinapa opening ceremony. Unfortunately all my money has been stolen at the hotel where I stayed, by some armed robbers and since then I'v been without any money and I'm even owing money to the hotel here. So I have only access to my emails,my mobile phone can't work here so I didn't bother bringing it along.

Please can you lend me £400 so I can return back and settle the hotel bills I will return it back to you as soon as i get home.You can have it sent through western union.

I have already spoken to the hotel manager, please let me hear from you so i can collect his full name and address where you can send the money tomorrow please or if possible today. I am waiting for your reply
Thank you.
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