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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: patrick williams <patrickwilliams0@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: patrick01williams@yahoo.fr
Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:50:19 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: From Patrick Williams
































































































>From Patrick Williams
( patrick01williams@yahoo.fr )

 
HI,
 
In confidence,I have to introduce myself for I am Patrick Williams, 20years old,I am the only child of late Chief and Mrs.Johnson Williams.I prayed before contacting you,please for God sake do not see my mail as embrassment as we do not know each other.
 
I wish to request for your assistance in my efforts to procure the transfer of my inherited money for investment ventures under your care and directive,while I continue my education of there in your country.I inherited 
Four Million,Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,600,000.00) here in my name with one of the prime bank in my country and I will require your assistance in receiving the transfer of the money in your local account for investment purposes. As it is my desire to come over to your country to further my education while you take care of the investment of the money.
 
Please I am an orphane and I need your assistance to transfer my inherited money to your country and also your assistance to secure a nice school for me in your country,where I will contiune my education.
I am waiting for your immediate response through my private email ( patrick01williams@yahoo.fr )
 
Thanks and may God bless you.
Yours sincerely,
Patrick Williams.
 
This is my number. + 225 660 834 45

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