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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: "Maggie Lake" (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:21:51 +0100
Subject: I want to invest my inheritance worth US$3.2 million

Hello,
My name is Maggie Lee, living in Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong. I am 20 years, single girl, and my dream is to be a model. BUT, I have a disability… I have a hearing problem caused by a rifle shot at close range, during a hunting expedition. This accident perforated my ear drums, and now, I can only hear with a special hearing instrument, which can be embarrassing in public…
My father (Mr. Jason Lee) was jailed 5 years ago for what my mother explained was politically motivated, and last week, he died in Hong Kong prison. His Attorney informed my mother that my father left me a special legacy ( inheritance), stock investment in a foreign Country worth about US$3.2 million. The Attorney advised that because of the circumstances of my father's imprisonment, that it would be unwise to bring the US$3.2 million back to Hong Kong. The Attorney therefore advised me to convert the stock holdings total value US$3.2 million, and invest offshore, preferably in real estate properties, for long term profits.
I am therefore looking for an honest and God fearing person who can help me to invest my inheritance worth US$3.2 in stocks. I will have to emigrate with my mother and live permanently abroad, and be able to undergo the expensive and complicated surgical procedure recommended by my specialist doctors, and finally, I will be able to realize my childhood dream of being a model .
If you can help me, please reply via email only, so that I can provide you more details. If you agree to help, my father's Attorney will give you a legal document naming you the ADMINISTRATOR of my inheritance, and you will be entitled to 10% of my inheritance valued at US$3.2 million. All paperwork documentation will be 100% legal.
I am waiting for your kind reply
Best regards,
Maggie Lee
12/F, One Kowloon, 1 Wang Yuen Street, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong


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