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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: mariam alfarouk <mariam_fa110@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: ma1957@y7mail.com
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008 11:48:45 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: as my partner


+225 0815 7757
 
Dear Friend,
With warm heart I want to offer my friendship and hope that this message reach you in good faith, however strange or surprising it may be for you as we have not met personally or have any relationship before, I humbly ask for you to consider the importance and benefit. Be rest assured that I contacted you after my search for a reliable and capable foreigner that will be of help to me.
 
I am Mrs Mariam Alfarouk, and I happy to request for your assistance of investment of my money. I am in Abidjan, (Ivory Coast), with my son, and I like you to write to me directly use my email address; concerning my monetary deposits (my consignment containing the sum of $ 22 million dollars), which I have safely deposited with a security company, here in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast and I want the money transferred to your country for investment. I will write more details as I hear from you. You can call me or my son on; 00225 0815 7757, or send me an email directly.
 
Thank you and May God bless you
From Mariam



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