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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: Madam Jethren Buka <lovebest75@att.net>
Reply-To: lovebest@terra.com
Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 08:22:20 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY

Dear respected one,
I know this mail will come as surprise to you but in a brief introduction. My name is Madam. Jethren Buka from Sierra Leone having lost my husband few years ago after a brief illness that lasted for two weeks. My late husband was dealing on precious metals (Gold and Diamond) before his death

It is my pleasure communicating with you for the first time, believing that it will lead to a better relationship between us. I have an inheritance that I would want to invest in your country; the amount is US$10.500, 000. This fund is in suspense fixed account with a clause attached to it for onward transfer into a foreign account. My husband had this agreement with the bank because he wanted to use the money for the purchase of cocoa processing machine before his untimely death. So based on the agreement, the bank still maintained that I should provide a foreign account where the money will be transfer to.

I want you to stand as my late husband's business partner in claiming the money from the bank here. I am ready to give you 15% of the total sum if only you can assist me to claim the money and 5% for any expense you incurred during the transfer. Once the money is transferred to your account I will come over there with my only son who is 7 years old, then you will help me to invest the money in any lucrative business.

I will give you more detail and forward all vital information as soon as I hear from you. Please call me with this number: +22548374265, thanks for your anticipated co-operation.
Thanks,
Madam. Jethren Buka

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