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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: Mrs Margaret Allen <mrsmargaretallen04@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: mrsmargaretallen42@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:40:18 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Joint Investment.


Mrs. Margaret Allen,
Liberte Sicap,Dakar Senegal.
Mobile numbers: 00221-77 746 2078.
Private Email ( mrsmargaretallen32@i12.com)
Dear Sir/Madam.
 
Compliment of the day, I would like to apply through this medium for your co-operation and to secure an opportunity to invest and do joint business with you and my family in your country. If you can handle long time business investment jointly with me and my children in your country.
 
I honorably intend to invest in your country into a very lucrative business venture of which you are to advise and execute the said venture over there for the mutual benefits of both of us. Your able co-operation is to become my business partner in your country and create ideas on how money will be invested, properly managed and the type of investment after the money is transferred to your account with your assistance.
 
Meanwhile, on indication of your willingness to handle this transaction sincerely by protecting our interests and upon your acceptance of this proposal, I would furnish you with the full detailed information, procedure and amount involve. I shall be glad to reserve this respect and opportunity for you, if you so desire, but do urge you to give the matter your immediate attention it deserves.
 
Looking forward to your response, you can equally call or email me with my private email or above phone number for easy communication.
 
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs Margaret Allen and Son David



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