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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: "linda drogba" <lindrogba015@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:37:17 -0800
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION!!


From:Mrs.Linda Drogba.
Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire
West Africa.

Dear Sir,

It is my pleasure to contact you for a business venture which I and my
Son[Konan],intend to establish in your country.Though I have not met with
you before but I believe, one has to risk confiding in someone to succeed
sometimes in life.There is this amount of Fifteen Million Five hundred US
Dollars ($15.500.000.00)which my late Husband deposited with a security
company in London,United Kingdom which he wanted to used for his political
reason in our Country before he was assassinated.

Now I and my son have decided to invest these money in your country or
anywhere safe enough outside Africa for security and political reasons.We
want you to help us claim and receive the consignment which will be sent to
you through diplomatic means to your address to avoid any traces of the
funds and to enable you plan for the investment in your Country:

I will like to invest part of the money into these three investment in your
Country but, if there is any other business that is better than what I am
suggestion, I will be very glad to follow your advice.

1). Real estate
2). The transport industry
3). Five star hotel

If you can be of an assistance to us we will be pleased to offer to you 20%
Of the total fund while the balance will be invested by you.

I await your soonest response at :
replymrs.linda@googlemail.com<lindankonan@yahoo.com>
Respectfully yours,
Mrs.Linda Drogba.

Anti-fraud resources: