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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: "ABDULLLAH GH AL-QASSAB" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <qassab.lgh@googlemail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:12:21 +0100
Subject: RE: ATTN: ASSALAM-O-ALAIKUM

Assalam-o-Alaikum

I got your email address through search in the Internet.I hope in the name of ALLAH that I have the right person who will assist me. I want to transfer money for investment into your country as such I would like to make contact with people like you residing in that country for assistance Note,the funds are already with a security company ,which also has branches in Europe and America for safe keeping. If you are willing to assist me.You will help me collect the funds from the Security Company as I cannot travel out from Iraq at the moment because of certain conditions which I will explain to you if we work together(my traveling documents are not yet complete).

The fall of Saddam Hussein has brought destruction / Hell to our great country and everything is practically difficult now and opportunities are closing up,the new government is trying to frustrate our businesses. Please if you accept this offer of assistance you are required to give me your Name, age, occupation, address also enclosing your telephone fax numbers. What I now need from you are as follows:

1. You should travel to the Security Company to secure the funds in cash on my behalf and open a Bank account in your country for me with the credentials i will give you.

2. You will be entitled to 30% of the total sum involved for your assistance.

3. As soon as you confirm to me by e-mail your readiness to travel to the Security Company, I will send the PIN code number of the consignment to you and also the security Company's information.

4. I will also most importantly know if you have the appropriate travel documents and send to me your traveling documents for my proceedings over here.

5. Please note that this project is 100% risk free but you must keep it very secret and confidential with strong assurance that you will not let me down at all.I expect your prompt reply.

Regards,

Abdullah Gh Al-qassab
qassab.lgh@googlemail.com

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