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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: "From Mrs. Mary Clement" <maryclement-m@mailbox.gr>
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:03:58 -0430
Subject: Hi

From Mrs. Mary Clement,
Dear,

I am Mrs. Mary Clement from Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire. I am a
widow
being,I lost my husband few years ago.My husband was a
serving
director of the Cocoa exporting board until his death.

He was assassinated by the rebels following the political
uprising here in Cote d'Ivoire. Before his death he had an
account in one the bank here with a tune of $9.5M, which
he told the bank, was for the importation of cocoa
processing machine.

I want you to do me a favour to provide to me your banking
particulars to receive this money to a safe account in
your country or any safer place as the beneficiary.and i
will give you 15% out of the total sum as your own
pesentage.I have plans to invest this money into business
in your country under you.

This is my reason of writing to you if you will be of
interests to assist me, I will be very grateful as you
indicating your interests by replying soonest with your
private phone and fax.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Mary clement and son Solomon

Anti-fraud resources: