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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: "Mrs Patricia Lawal" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drjohndavid@gala.net>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:16:58 -0500
Subject: Hello My Good Friend

Dear Friend,
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition. I am using this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you.
But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the Cheque out of the company to someone else who was capable of assisting me in this great venture.
Due to your effort sincerity courage and trust worthiness you showed at the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $900000.00 (Nine hundred Thousand United States Dollars) I have authorized the finance house where I deposited my money to issue you international certified bank draft cashable at your bank.
My dear friend I will like you to contact the finance house for the collection of this international certified bank draft. The name and contact address of the Person with your Cheque Dr John David is as follows.
CONTACT NAME: Dr John David
EMAIL:mailto.johndavid@gala.net
info.johndavid@yahoo.com.hk
At the moment I am very busy here because of the investment projects which myself and my new partner are having at hand. Finally remember that I have forwarded instruction to the finance house on your behalf to send the bank draft to you as soon as you contact them without delay.You are to contact him with the following information.
1.Your Full Name;
2.Your Home Address:
3.Your Telephone Number:
4.Your Place of Work and Address:
5.Your Email Address:
6. Age:
7.Sex:
Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart. Thanks and God bless you and your family. You should also know that you will be paying for the delivery of your cheque.
Hope to hear from you soon.
 
Your's Faithfully
Mrs. Patricia Lawal

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