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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: "Harry Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <harry.williamz@gmx.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:52:09 +0200
Subject: Attn: Gold dust for sale

Goodday,

Firsthly let me introduced myself to you because I searched you on the internet and decided to mail you about a business that might be of interest to you.

I am Harry Williams, the security officer of Shurgard storage & Security Company located in London in the United Kingdom. Shurgard is a company that deals with storage people and organizations’ valuable goods and properties.

I will need you to assist me in claiming and selling a large quantity of gold dust worth an estimated 25 million US dollars, which was abandoned in our custody for the past two years without prior claims.

I will give you the details of the gold dust as soon as you agreed to work with me. If we work diligently the entire project would be complete within 7 working days. Once the transaction is completed, the total amount of money realized after the sales of the gold dust will be shared in the percentage ratio of 50-50.

Should you be interested in this project, please kindly reply me so that I can give you the full detail of the project.

Your earlier reply will be highly appreciated, thanks for your consideration.

Regards,
Harry Williams
harri.williamz@gmx.com

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