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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: Serena Jones <serena_5jones@ssummail.com>
Reply-To: serena_105jones@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 02:21:26 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear Respectful


Dear Respectful
 
My name is Miss Serena Jones i am a young girl of 20 year old from Cote D'Ivoire.I would like to seek your assistance,as an investment consultant or perhaps you may have knowledge about profitable investment opportunities.I would be delighted to enter into partnership with you considering  your idea after going through your profile.This is because investment in my country is insecure and risky.Very risk I must confess!!

It is very essential that you understand that the kind of trust and confidence I want to put in you is extraordinary, and an act of desperation on my part, in order not to lose this my inherited fund in the hands of top desparate Government Official,i have decided to contact you using this mean thereby seeking for your assistant in receiving this fund in your custody for investment in your country am also making arrangements to invest overseas under an able man power and would be well pleased to have your guidance, support and cooperation in this struggle if you are capable and willing to assist me in good faith without prejudice. up to the sum of 6.5  six million five hundred thousand  dollars only. i will give you 25% out of the money and you will hold the investment. as you can see i am a small girl.

This fund was inherited from my late father who was killed years ago by Rebels in one of their attack including my mother.My late father, Micheal  Jones, been a highly reputable politician in my country was a prime target.fortunately for me,i was in school durring the attack.Please,treat this contact with utmost secrecy for security and safety reasons.I hope to read your postive response at your earliest convenient time. i will give you all detail and informations about this, please contact me with this email address below, (serena_105jones@yahoo.com.hk)

Your advice could mean a lot to me.
Regard
Miss Serena Jones.

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