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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: "Mr.Williams Baba" <williamsbaba@sify.com>
Reply-To: williamsb1978@terra.com
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 12:32:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear One (Being A Foreigner)


Dear One (Being A Foreigner)
 I am Mr. Williams Baba, A staff of one of the commercial bank in Cote d ivoire. I am pleased to get across to you for a very urgent and profitable business proposal, though I don't know you neither have I seen you before but my confidence was reposed on you. A contract file worth (US$10,750,000) Dollars with the name has been noticed lying waste in our contract and account department. As one of our international remittance director,
 
I am obliged to notify you, Now (being a foreigner) I want this money to be paid into your account for us to share 50/50 all i need from you is your honesty and you will promise me that you will not run away with this money. Again i want to let you know that this fortune was only disclosed to you so i demand you keep it as a secret for the successful conclusion of it. Upon the receipt of this mail please send me your full names, telephone/ fax number, and email address. Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.
 
I require you to treat this letter with the utmost urgency.
 
Best Regards
Mr. Williams Baba.



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