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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: "Mr. Lawson Knight." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrlawsonknight11@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:03:07 -0700
Subject: The Wrongful With Holding Your Over Due Payment Respond Prompt.

Value Attention:
 
I resumed duty recently as policy harmonization chairman on public debt a committee set up by West African Monitoring Institution (WAMI) under the able presidency, my office monitors and controls the affairs of all banks and financial institutions here in Africa that is to tell you that I am committed to upholding and defending the constitution and laws of West African Monitoring  Institution as well as achieving a higher level of public safety and security through the prosecution of criminals in the state..
The purpose of the committee among other is to investigate, verify and settle all outstanding total pending payment owned to citizens and foreigners with maximum security. And records before me has revealed that your payment has not been effected as a result of official negligence as your fund has been identified either as ghost file, UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS/INHERITANCE PAYMENT, AWARD WINING  AND OVER-INVOICED CONTRACT PAYMENT ETC ;this is due to many abnormalities had happened in the institutions where some top official of the apex institutions are interested in your payment and they collaborate with impostors who are carrying a fake portfolios with levies misled and misguided about the position of your fund and having the opportunity to extort money from you that made it too longer up till date that explains why you receive different kinds of untrue emails and phone call  from different people everyday.
Due to the prevailing situation worldwide on cash movement and transfer of Hugh sum of money, we have decided to use this opportunity to compensate the entire victim who some Africa has duped with $10.3Million .this money will be sent a great deal  a money wire service would via money transfer service along with all documentations that has to do with the origin of the funds in other to exonerate you from any form of investigations or interrogation.
For the immediate take off and simultaneous clear up discrepancy in your file, it is obligate under the agreement which is regulating this transfer that you confirm your full Name, your Complete Address,telephone number and your bank details where you want your fund to transfer, also you will pay $150 only to enable us automate your information on the transfer script so as to legitimately effect the transfer to your position .the requested information is to ensure that no mistake or error is made. On the confirmation of your information, we will advice you to who you will send the money across to so as to enable us finalize this transfer.
 
Waiting your gently reply to enable us proceed.
Best regards,
Mr. Lawson Knight.

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