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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:
Date:
Subject: From: David Smith

From: David Smith
Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire
Telephone number0022507408348
Dear Respectful,

After much consideration and in good faith, I feel that I can confide in you. Iam DavidSmith, the Son of the late assassinated senator in Zimbabwe Mr Edwin Smith but presently Iam in Abidjan, capital city of Ivory Coast in West Africa, for the past two months now. Mymother Mrs Tabitha Marume Smith, was shot and killed by soldiers at Chiwetu Rest Camp,
Percy Muchiwa, for more verification, here is the web site www.allafrica.com/stories/200805010665.html

I want you to assist me withdraw and transfer my dad money the sum of (US$4.5M) which he deposited in one of the prime bank basd here in Cote d'Ivoire into your account in your country and also take me and my only sister out of here that had made us orpharn. Why I contacted you was that I went to the bank to withdraw this money since my late father use my name David as the next of kin to the deposit but I was told by the bank that my late father made an agreement with them that I have to get to the age of 25years
before I can make claim of the money or alternatively I should provide a guardian who can make the claim on my behalf and that was why I contacted you. I humbly need your assistance in the following ways:

1) To help get this money transferred to you.
2) To serve as the guardian and foreign beneficiary of the deposited money
3) To make an arrangement for me and my younger sister to come over after this money is ransferred.
4) To look for a good venture where the money will be invested.

I am ready to compensate you for your effort in assisting me.

Youre sincerely,
David Smith,

Anti-fraud resources: