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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Oscar Williams" <oswilliams@cantv.net>
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 06:48:03 -0430
Subject: REPLY

FROM OSCAR WILLIAMS,
RUE 42 ILOT HD, ABIDJAN MACORRY,
(COTE D'IVOIRE)

Dearest One,

I am indeed glad to be in contact with you even though this medium of
communication (internet) has been grossly abused by criminal minded people
making it difficult for people with genuine struggle to correspond and
exchange views without scepticism.

I Hope This Mail Meets You In Good Health And Spirit, I Am, Oscar Williams,
A Sierra Leonia. Presently, I Live As A Refugee In republic of Cote
D'Ivoire, With My Younger Sister,Sandra. I Am A Victim Of War And The Son
Of Late Chief Hanson Williams The Assassinated Former Assistant Director Of
Sierra Leone Gold And Diamond Mining Corporation.

My Father Was Killed With Other Government Officials uring Official Hours
When The Rebel Troops Stormed And Raided The Mining Corporation Office At
The Heat Of The Crisis In My Country. A Few Weeks Later, The Rebels Also
Invaded Our Residential Building In Which My Mother And Two Of Our Security
Men Were Killed In The Compound While I Was Out For A Special Research
Program And My Younger Sister Was In School.

I Had A Singular Shock And Trauma, Which Compelled Us To Flee From The
Country To republic of Cote D'Ivoire By The Help Of An Army Colonel, Who Is
A Close Friend Of My Late Father. I am writing you in absolute confidence
primarily to seek your assistance to transfer our cash of Seventeen
million,Five hundred thousand dollars( $17,500,000 ) now in the custody of
a Bank here in Abidjan to your private account pending our arrival to your
country.

I Am Making This Request To You With Tears In My Eyes And I Feel That God
Almighty Will Touch You With His Spirit To Listen To My Cry For Help And
Answer Me Without Delay. For your assistance, I beg to concede 20 % of this
money to you for your efforts assistance.

In your reply, i will like you to send to us your contact information such
as your full name, your ddress and your telephone number.

Urgent Reply.

Best regard
Oscar Williams


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