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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: Sgt Raymond Michael <frsgtra@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: sgtrichm@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:31:43 -0800 (PST)
Subject: URGENT!!! URGENT!!! URGENT!!!


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: frsgtra@yahoo.com



- Attention:How is everything going and your family, I hope great? Though i have not considered this medium to be the best manner to have approached you on this issue being that the internet has been greatly abused over the recent years and is very unsecured for informations of vital importance. I have decided to take the chance seeing that no other means could have been faster and more efficient than the e-mail.I write to you irrespective of the fact you do not know me, but please do consider this letter as a request from a brother in dire need of assistance. My name is Michael Raymond (Sgt) an American soldier, I am serving in the military of the 1st Armored Division here in Iraq. As you know we are being attacked by insurgents everyday and car bombs, it will come worst now Saddam Hussein was executed. During one of our rescue Mission we came across a safe that contains the total sum of $21,000,000 (Twenty One Million Us Dollars) that belongs to the revolutionaries, which I believe they use in buying weapons and ammunitions, and it was agreed by all party present that the money will be shared amongst us. You can go to this web link to read about events that took place here:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm Out of the total fund my share was $8,000,000 (Eight Million Us Dollars). I am seeking your assistance to evacuate my share of the money, which is $8,000,000 out of here to you, in as much as you can assure me that my own share will be safe in your care until I complete my service here. This is no stolen money and there are no dangers involved, as I have made arrangements with a UN representative based in Asia who promised to deliver the fund to any of my choosing destination. I shall be compensating you with US$500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) on final conclusion of this project, while the rest shall be for me for my investment purposes.One passionate appeal I will make to you is not to discuss this matter with a third party, should you have reasons to reject this offer, please destroy this e-mail as any leakage of this information will be too bad for me. I do not know for how long we will remain here, and I have survived two suicide bomb attacks, which prompted me to reach out for help because I will be migrating to you to invest and start a new life not as a soldier anymore. Please if this proposal is acceptable by you, kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone numbers for quick communication also your home address where the fund would be delivered. As soon as I receive your e-mail with the information, I will furnish you with full details on when and how the fund shall be delivered to you by the diplomat and he will make a contact with you before any move. Waiting for your urgent reply. You may reply through my Private email at sgtrichm@avoe.ge Best Regards,Sgt.Raymond


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