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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "MAJOR PATRICK HARRY"<majorpatrick@army.com>
Reply-To: <majorpatrick@sify.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 05:55:53 +0800
Subject: GREETINGS FROM MAJOR PATRICK,

GREETINGS FROM MAJOR PATRICK,
 
I know you will be very surprised to read from someone unknown to you. My name is major Patrick, a member of the U.S. ARMY USARPAC Medical Team, which was deployed to Iraq in the beginning of the war.
 
I will like to share some highly classified information about my personal experience and role which I played in the pursuit of my career serving under the US 3rd Infantry which was at the fore-front of the war in Iraq.
 
Though, I will hold back certain information for security reasons for now until you have find time to visit the BBC website stated below to enable you have insight to what I'm intend to share with you, believing that it would be of your desired interest one-way or the other.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
 
Please get back to me after visiting the above website to enable us discuss in a more clarifying manner to the best of your understanding. I must say that,I'm very uncomfortable sending this message to you without knowing truly if you would misconstrue the importance and decides to go public. In this regards, Also I will like to let you know that the essence of this message is strictly for mutual benefit of you and I and nothing more.
 
I will be vivid and coherent in my next message. Meanwhile,could you send me a mail confirming that you have visited the site and we can partner in the project. Please email me on:(majorpatrick@sify.com)
 
NOTE: you must not forget that this must surely be of a mutual benefit to both of us, i assure you.
 
Thanks
Best Regards,
Major Patrick.

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