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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: "Tagoe" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sulltag555@sify.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:09:37 +0100
Subject: I hope you are healthy.


Dear Sir,

I must first apologize for this unsolicited mail to you, I am aware that this is certainly not a conventional way of approach to establish a relationship of trust, but you will realize the need for my action, because I got your contact information from the country public record when am searching for a last name similar to my late father business partner in America so I come across your contact I decide to reach you through this medium of exercise. I am Sulley, the only child of late Mr. and Mrs. Mercy Johnson. My father was poisoned to death by his business associates because of his wealth and during my fathers sickness he called me on his sick bed as his only son because my mother died when am young and told me about some fund ($8.9mUSD) he deposited in Security Company here in our country.

And that it was because of the fund he was poisoned that if he did not survive that I shall contact his business partner to help me for the claim of the box in Security Company and he will also help me for an investment and for me to continue my education hence it's his heart desire for me to leave the country for my education in other to achieve my aims in live and that his business partner will help me to managing the investment for me in his country, but I have tried to reach the man since seven mouths now I can't get him, that is why I decide to contact you, I'm soliciting your assistance to help me for the claims of the box fund out of our country.

Please if you will help me don't delay this matter to enable me leave our country. Right now I'm scared and am not in my hometown because of the same people that killed my father they are treating my life in many ways. I wish you can meet me and accompanying me to the Security Company for claims of the fund, and after the claim you will help me to process my traveling papers to fly back with you. Looking forward to hear from you so that we can discuss on what will be your reward for this assistance. I honorably seek your help in the following ways, your full name, your residence country and your Tele number.

Thanks
Sulley.

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