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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: "smith williams" <smith_ww20002@centrum.sk>
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:13:10 +0200
Subject: Good day

Good day,
Please I am Smith Williams,the only son of late chief Alfred Williams from Sierra Leone.My sources of your contact gave me the courage and confidence to rely on you. I am writing you in absolute confidence primarily to seek your assistance to transfer our cash of Five million dollars ($5,000,000.00)now in the custody of a BANK to your private account pending our arrival to your country.
SOURCE OF THE MONEY My late father,chief Alfred Williams,a native of mende district in the Northern province of Sierra Leone,was the general Manager of Sierra Leone mining co-operation(S.L.M.C.)Freetown.According to my father.This money was the income accrued from mining cooperation's over draft and minor sales. Before the peak of the civil war between the rebels forces of major Paul Koroma and the combined forces of ECOMOG peace keeping operation that almost destroyed my country, followin g the forceful removal from power of the Civilian Elected President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah by the rebels.
My father had already made arrangement for his family,my mother,my little sister and myself to be evacuated to Abidjan,Cote d'Ivoire with our personal effects and the box containing team.My father deposited the fund for the
safe custody until after the war when he will join us.
During the war in my country,and following the indiscriminate looting of public and Government properties by the rebel forces, the sierra Leone mining coop.Was one of the targets looted and destroyed.
My father including other top Government functionaries Were attacked and killed by the rebels because of his relationship with the civilian Government of Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. As a result of my father death,dashed our hope of survival.The untimely deaths caused my mothers heart failure and other related complications of which she later died in th e hospital After we must have spent a lot of money on her.Now my younger sister and myself are alone in this strange country suffering without any care or help, Without any relation,we are now like refugees and orphans.
Our only hope now is in fund our father deposited in the BANK To this effect,I humbly solicit your assistance in the followings ways.
-To assist me claim this fund from the BANK as foreign partner/beneficiary.
-To transfer this money in your name to your country.
-To make a good arrangement for a joint business investment on our behalf in your country and you, the caretaker.
-To secure a college for my little sister and my self in your country to further our education.
-And to make arrangement for our travel with you to your country after you have transferred this fund.
Most importantly,The whole documents issued to my late father after deposit are all in my custody.Please e-mail me immediately you recieve this mail for abrief discussion and more information.I am waiting for your urgent response.
Thanks and may God bless you.
Best regard.
Smith Williams

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