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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: "aziz_yusuf4" <aziz_yusuf4@terra.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:51:16 -0300
Subject: FROM: MR. AZIZ YUSUF


FROM: MR. AZIZ YUSUF


Attn: Sir/ Madam,

This message might meet you in utmost surprise. However, it’s just my urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact you for this transaction. I got your contact from internet search while I was searching for a foreign partner. I assured of your capability and reliability to champion this business opportunity when I prayed to God about you.

I am a banker by profession in BURKINA-FASO, WEST AFRICA and currently holding the post of assistant foreign remittance director in our bank. I have the opportunity of transferring the left over funds ($29.2Million Dollars) belong to late Dr. Yasser Taymullah Muwaffaq. FROM Saudi Arabia. who died along with his entire family in the Egyptians plane crash on 6th January 2004.

Hence; I am inviting you for a business deal where this money can be shared between us in the ratio of 50/50 if you agree to handle this business with me. Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as I receive your return mail immediately as soon as you receive this letter.
Please indicate your willingness by sending the below information for more
clarification and easy communication.

YOUR FULL NAME.............................

OCCUPATION...................................

CONTACT ADDRESS.......................

AGE...............................................

MARITAL STATUS...........................

PHONE NUMBER...........................

Trusting to hear from you immediately.
Thanks & Best Regards,
MR. AZIZ YUSUF

Anti-fraud resources: