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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: Miss Sarah Joseph <sarah.joseph4@btopenworld.com>
Reply-To: sarah3joseph@yahoo.cn
Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 19:20:22 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: From Miss Sarah Joseph



>From Miss Sarah Joseph
 
Dearest Beloved One,
 
Based on your profile, l am happy to request for your assistance and also to go into business partnership with you, i believe that you will not betrayed my trust which i am going to lay on you.
 
I am Miss Sarah Joseph, 22years old and the only daughter of my late parents MR. and MRS Paul. D. Joseph. My father was a highly reputable business magnet-(a cocoa merchant) who operated in the capital of Ivory Coast  during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad year 12th.Febuary 2008.Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who travelled with him at that time.
 
But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 5 years old, and since then my father took me so special. Before his death on February 12th 2008 he called the secretary who accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of Six million five hundred thousand United State Dollars. (USD$6.5M) left in a secured known bank.
 
I am just 22 years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory coast. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. Sir, I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards.
 
Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these few questions:-
 
1. Can I completely trust you?
 
2. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you?
 
Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. 
 
Thank you so much.
 
My sincere regards,
Miss Sarah Joseph.

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