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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: MASTER WALTER DORMAN <walter.dorman@owomonie.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:37:46 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Greetings From Walter Dorman:




With Due Respect;
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this mail. My name is Master Walter Dorman, from Diamond rich country district of  Bombali in Northern Province of Sierra Leone. I am the Son of the Late  Mr.MICHAEL DORMAN, the managing director of Sierra Leone diamond mining co-operation and transport minister.
 
I am currently living in a refugee center in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.  I have been unfortunate to find myself caught up in a very difficult situation in Abidjan. I know you will be surprise to receive this message, but it is of utmost importance to me.
 
I am about to entrust my destiny on your shoulder if you can be of help to me, it will also be of immense benefit to you too. This transaction demands utmost trust, honesty, integrity and most important, secrecy. It is only through the above that I will be assured of my security.
 
This regrettable situation led to the killing of my Father, Mother and only sister and the displacement of our family During the brutal civil war in my country Sierra Leone, my late Father of blessed memory was brutally murdered by the rebels led by Mr. Foday Sankoh, he was murdered with my Mother and my only sister (Nina). But I (Walter),I managed to escape to Ivory Coast, a neigbouring country through the help of the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
 
But before my Late Father's death, he drew my attention to a box containing about Six million US dollars ($6 Million) which he smuggled out at the start of the war to a  Bank in Abidjan,When He made the deposit, he use my name as the next of kin,as the only son He also gave me the certificate of deposit and receipt issued to him by the Bank, which I still have in my possession.
 
The problem I have is that as a refugee, the immigration law does not allow me to open or operate bank account here,  I do not want to seek the assistance of just anybody for fear of being duped or defrauded of my only inheritance, I have sold almost all my belongings to keep body and soul together in the camp, hence the Ivoirian Governmentand the United Nations are  not really taking care of us.
 
What is required of you is to give me your full name, telephone and fax numbers and contact address so that I can secure a Power of Attorney in your favour that would enable you contact the Bank as the beneficiary of the Fund.. You can then transfer the funds to your bank account after all legal documentations are done and secured.
 
In order to make it worthwhile, I will give you part of the money. I have also maped out 5% of the principal sum for any expenses that you may incurred during the transaction process which includes your traveling expenses when this fund is transfered, I intend to invest the remaining part of the money on your advice in any lucrative business ventures in your country, you may even act as my financial adviser if you are so disposed. If you want to help, Please  contact  me  immediately. I am looking forward  to your immediate response, as I believe that destiny has brought us together.
 
Yours Faithfully,
Master Walter Dorman.

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