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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: FROM FRANK UMAR <johnstonemory@bellsouth.net>
Reply-To: majorfrankumar@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 22:33:27 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Hello,


Hello,
My name is Major Frank Umar, I am an American soldier in peace keeping force in Iraq, I am serving in the military of the 1st Armoured Division in Iraq, as you know insurgents everyday and car bombs are attacking us.
We managed to move funds belonging to Saddam Hussein's family. The total amount is US$ 13 Million dollars in cash. We want to move this money to you, so that you may keep our share for us till when we will come over to meet you.We will take 60%, my partner and I.You take 40%. No strings attached, just help us move it out of Iraq, Iraq is a war zone. We plan on using diplomatic courier and shipping the money out in two large silver boxes, using diplomatic immunity.
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. Can I trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone/fax numbers for quick communication also your contact details. This business is risk free. The boxes can be shipped out in 48hrs.or you contact me through (majorfrankumar@yahoo.com)
Respectfully,
Major  Frank Umar

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