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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: "Marriot Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <marriotb@sify.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 11:24:05 -0000
Subject: From Sgt Marriot Brown

Hello,
My name is Sgt Marriot Brown.I am an American soldier serving with the 3rd infantry division in Iraq.I have summed up courage to contact you to seek your co-operation in moving some funds from here.
The said fund in US currency was discovered in barrels at a farmhouse during a rescue operation in one of the former military dictator's top men who died while trying to escape.I managed to conceal some of this
fund with the help of a colleague.Now that we are out of town and restricted to our camp till we pull-out finally,I have been able to get the money, which runs close to six million dollars,carefully packaged and moved
safely out of troubled spot to a British security
courier company office which enjoys diplomatic immunity here.THEY DON'T KNOW THE REAL CONTENTS OF THE PACKAGE BUT BELIEVE THAT IT CONTAINS PERSONAL EFFECTS WHICH BELONG TO AN
AMERICAN MEDICAL DOCTOR SOLDIER KILLED IN A RAID HERE IN IRAQ WHO BEFORE GIVING UP, URGED ME TO DELIVER THE LUGGAGE TO HIS FAMILY IN UNITED STATES.
With our impending return to America,I have decided to move the package (fund) out now.And this is where I need you : to act as the supposed relation of the deceased and thereby receive the package.
I have found a very safe way of getting this package to you at home and will discuss it upon your response provided I can be assured it will be safe till I return.I want you to indicate YOUR INTEREST to go on with me,
and how much percentage you want for your co-operation.
Above all,I cannot over-emphasize the importance of confidentiality due to the sensitive nature of this mail.Whether or not you are interested,do not discuss this with anybody as it will spell doom to us here.
Do respond promptly so I can furnish you with more details.
Regards,
Marriot Brown

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