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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: Barrister Hill John <jameseae56@att.net>
Reply-To: fexdexcourieservicesltd01@live.fr
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 07:08:15 -0800 (PST)
Subject: CONTACT THE WESTERN NUION OFFICE PAYMENT




Hello My Dear
How are you today?
I write to inform you that we have already sent you USD5,000.00 dollars through Westernunion as we have been given the  mandate to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of  USD1.500,000.00 via western union by this,governemnt.
I was calling your ,telephone number to give you the information through phone but you did not pick up my calls throughout that;yesterday even this morning.Now, I  decided to email you the MTCN and  sender name so that you will pick upthis USD5,000.00 to enable us send another USD5,000.00 today as you know , we will be sending you only USD5,000.00, per day.
Please pick up this information and run to western union to pick up the USD5,000.00 and call me back to send you another

payment today,
Hon; Anthony Williams
Western Union Department
Director General Benin Rep;,
Mobile: 00 229 98-45-12-88
OFFICE NUMBER +22993-60-81-79
E-mail: (www.w_union@sify.com)

call or email me once you picked upthis USD5,000.00 today.Here is the ,, western union information to pick up the ,
USD5000.00; MTCN # :  622 155 4897
Sender'sName:..........PRINCE AJAA,
Text Question:............HONEST
Answer......................TRUST
Amount:....................USD 5,000.00 I am,waiting for your

call once you pick up  this USD5,000..00, Please email me your , direct telephone number because I need ,to be calling you once we send any payment for the informations.
Contact me with my private email;mr.hill.john001@msn.com

Expecting your reply,
Thanks
Hill John



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