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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: "Capt James Woodley" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2009 08:06:15 -0800
Subject: From Capt. James Woodley.

>From Capt. James Woodley.
Tel: +1206-350-3258

Dear

My name is James Woodley ,an American soldier, I am serving in the military of the 1st Armoured Division in Iraq , I and my fellow superior moved funds found in a container only God knows where it came from, the total is $15,000,000.00 (fifteen million US dollars) . Click on this link to even read about that took place here:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

Basically since we are working as military men we cannot keep these funds in our possession, but we want to transfer and move the funds to you, so that you can keep it for us pending our soonest arrival.

We will divide the total fund in three ways, since two (2) officers are involved here. This means that you will take 30%, I will take 35%, and my superior will take 35%. . This business is confidential, and it should not be discussed with anyone. There is no risk involved whatsoever. If you are interested I will send you the full details, my job is to find a good partner that we can trust and that will assist us.

REPLY URGENTLY so we can furnish with the detail of the fund ok.

hope to hear from you.

Capt. James Woodley.

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