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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: Beda Omar <beda.x01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: omarx1@lajt.hu
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 17:37:32 GMT
Subject: Hello Dear

Hello Dear
 
I presume this letter will come to you as a surprise, but as things unfold, we will know each other better, I apologize for sending you this sensitive information via e-mail instead of a certified mail/ post-mail. This is due to the urgency and importance of the information. This project is based on Trust, confidentiality and sincerity of purpose in order to have an acceptable meeting of the minds. I am writing this letter in confidence believing that if it is the wish of God for you to help me, God almighty will bless and reward you abundantly and you would never regret it. I also know you will not expose or betray this trust and confident that I am about to repose on you for the mutual benefit of us.
 
My name is  Beda Omar Hashi Aden. A Medical student of Benadir University, Mogadishu, Somalia. I am 24years old girl and I held from Republic of Somalia. I am the only daughter of Late Mr Omar Hashi Aden, former Security Minister of Somalia and also the President of the Somali National Movement (SNM). My father was killed in a suicide car bomb attack in northern Somalia., like any person who can be caring loving and home oriented. I will love to have a long-term relationship with and to know more about you. I would like to build up a solid foundation with you in time coming if you can be able to help me out in this transaction.
 
You can read more about my father's death in the BBC news:
 
I got your contact via the internet data record and I decide to seek for your help to transfer my inherited money.
 
I am constrained to contact you because of the maltreatment which I am receiving from my uncle. He is planning to take away all my late father's treasury and properties from me since the unexpected death of my beloved parents. Meanwhile I wanted to go Europe, but he hides away my international passport and other of my valuable documents which I kept. Luckily for me he did not discover where I kept my late father's File which contained important documents. So that is while I manage to escape from my country to Burkina faso country. Which I don’t know anybody there just for me to claim my late father’s left deposited money in one bank here Burkina faso country.
 
This money was annually paid into my late fathers account from Conoco Oil Inc and chevron Oil Company operating in our locality for the compensation of youths and community development in our jurisdiction. I don't know how and what to do to invest this money somewhere in abroad wisely so that my uncle will not take over what belongs to me, which he was planning to do without my attention, I am presently staying in the Mission at Burkina Faso country and I am seeking for long-term relationship and investment assistance overseas.
 
My Late father’s blessed memory deposited the sum of  four million,two hundred Thousand united states dollars. In one bank in Burkina Faso with my name as his succeeded only daughter. I had contacted the bank to clear the deposit but the branch manager told me that my refugee status according to the local law does not authorize me to carry out the operation. He however, advised me to provide a trustee who will stand on my behalf. I had wanted to inform my uncle about this my Late Father’s deposited money but I am afraid that he will not offer me anything good after the release of the money into his receiving position. Therefore, I decide to seek for your help in transferring the money to your account abroad. While I will relocate to your country and settle down with you for my investment in any profitable venture which you will recommend to me as I have no any idea about foreign investment.
 
If you can handle this project sincerely, and also willing to assist me in lifting this fund, kindly reach me. Please, note that this transaction is 100% risk free and I hope to commence the transaction as quick as possible, I will send you my picture as soon as I hear from you, And I also understand fully that you will not betray this trust, I sincerely apologise for this inconvenience.I know as a person you most be asking a question why do I choose you, well you are right if you ask.
 
Please take note based on this, I will demand for the following requirement: Could you be able to introduce me to a profitable business venture that would not require much technical expertise in your country where part of this fund will be invested?
 
SECURITY: All modalities to effect the payment and subsequent transfer of this money have been carefully worked out, So this transaction is risk free, though you are required to treat this business with strictest confidenciality.
 
At the receipt of your email confirming your willingness to assist me, I will require from you copy of standard document of self identification as a trust instrument in order to build a trust bridge between us and assure me of the safety of the money when transferred into your bank account. Please, all these requirements are urgently needed as it will enable me to establish a stronger business relationship with you hence I will like you to be the general overseer of the investment there after.
 
Thanks a lot in anticpation of your reply.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Miss Beda Omar Hashi Aden
 

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