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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: Patricia Runs <pruns01@hotmail.fr>
Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2010 03:41:19 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From: Miss Patricia Runs


Greetings ,
I hope this mail meets you in good time. However strange or surprising this contact might seem to you as we have not meet personally or had any dealings in the past, I humbly ask that you take due consideration of its importance and immense benefit.
I am Miss Patricia Runs, the Daughter of late Jacques Runs, I wish to request for your assistance in an immediate transaction. My late father was a contractor and an Estate consultant before his death, on his sick bed, heinstructed me and my mother to look for a foreigner who will assist us for an investment overseas.

He discloses to us about six million United States dollars ($6,000,000 USD) which he kept for Investment in a financial institute. After several months of funeral of my late father, My uncles and some members of the family started treating us bad with their human wickedness and diabolic powers; thereby forcing my mother out of her matrimonial home which at end they eliminated my mother and left me motherless and fatherless.

I humbly seek your assistance to invest this money in your country, and requiring your assistance in the claims and transfer of the same funds into your personal/company account for investment, I will be glad to give you 15% of the total sum for your kind gesture. Please it is very important you contact me immediately for us to proceed. Please note to me your phonenumber, area of your profession and your age as to know better side of you.

Awaiting your soonest and positive response.
Best Regards,
Patricia.



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