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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: "RONALD RILING" <ronald_riling39@ig.com.br>
Reply-To: ronaldriling@myway.com
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:47:11 +0100
Subject: FROM SGT. RONALD, INFANTRY DIVISION US TROOP, IRAQ


Attention,

My name is Sgt.Ronald Riling; I'm a US soldier, serving in the military with
the Third (3rd) infantry Division in Iraq (US Coalition Force). I and my
superior after going on a rampage on Saddam Hussein palace in Baghdad
discovered a substantial amount of money. You may need to check out the
following BBC website to confirm more of our discovery which was made known
to the government, but this particular one is a top secret:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

While on our rampage mission to Saddam Hussein Palace , we discovered a huge
sum of money but on the process of counting the money, the sum of
US$9,500,000.00 ( Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars)
which was secretly moved out to a secure place in West Africa through
diplomatic means. We therefore write to seek your assistance to keep this
fund under your custody until we are through with our service assignment in
Iraq . We cannot disburse and keep this amount in our account while in
active service.

If you are interested I will send you the full details as my job is to find
a good partner that we can trusted on this project and I believe you won't
let us down. To ensure confidentiality, when you receive this letter, kindly
reply me via e-mail: ronaldriling@myway.com , signifying your interest.
Include your following information:

1) Your Tel/Fax number for verbal and administrative communication
2) Your full name and contact address for administrative application of
the funds claim. There is no risk involved whatsoever.

I look forward hearing from you soonest.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sgt.Ronald Riling,


Third (3rd) Infantry Division US Military Iraq
My alternative email: ronaldriling@myway.com

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