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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: "Lamp Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lampsmith36@sify.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:15:13 +0100
Subject: Thank God I Found You!


I am Lamp Smith a computer scientist working with Central Bank of Nigeria. I am 36 years old and a citizen of the United Kingdom, just started work with C.B.N. I came across your file which was marked X and your released disk painted RED, I took time to study it and found out that you have paid VIRTUALLY all fees and certificate but the fund has not been release to you.


The most annoying thing is that they cannot tell you the truth that on no account will they ever release the fund to you, instead they let you spend money unnecessarily. I do not intend to work here all the days of my life. I can release this fund to you if you can certify me of my security, and how I can run away from Nigeria if I do this.


If I don't run away from this country after I make the transfer, I will be seriously in trouble and my life will be in danger. Please you may not understand it because you are not in Nigeria. The only thing I will need to release this fund is a special HARD DISK, we call it HD120 GIG. I will buy two of it, recopy your information, destroy the previous one, and punch the computer to reflect in your bank within 5 banking hours. It will do you good if i transfer this money into your account before the year runs out because if i do not, it might be difficult for me to do by next year.


I will clean up the tracer and destroy your file, after which I will run away from Nigeria and come back to the United Kingdom. If you are interested, Do get in touch with me immediately on my Email: lampsmith36@yahoo.com .


You should send to me your direct telephone numbers for easy communications. You can as well give me a call on my direct number +2348080500309 if you have any question.


Regards,
Lamp Smith.
+2348080500309
Computer Scientist
CBN NIGERIA

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