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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Capt. Alex Sidney" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <captalexsidney55@aim.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:36:20 +0200
Subject: Hello and how are you today

Hello,

I know that my message will come as a great shock to you, because this medium (Internet) has been greatly abused, but it still remains the fastest medium of communication. Anyway, I am a captain with the United Nations troops in Iraq, the war on terrorism. Based on the executive decision by the United States president (Barack Obama) in withdrawing troops from Iraq starting from September till next year. So I have been re deployed to work in US German military base soon. Our mission is to help beef terrorist targeted states, especially the United States and the European Union on the war against terrorism. I would like to inform you that I have in my possession the sum of 21.3 million U.S. dollars. Funds I got from one of our raiding here in Iraq and I have decided to take the money as benefit for my sufferings here. I deposited the money in a box with Red Cross agent and informed him that we shall make contact for the actual owner of the box. It is within my powers to approve!
who comes forth as the owner of t

My plans are to invest the money in your country as soon as the box is under your care. In any case, you will have to advise me on that since I'm not a businessman. The point i want to make now is that I cannot move me this money to the United States because I will be in Europe for about 3 years, so I need someone who is trustworthy to assist me by standing as the owner of the box. If you accept my proposal, I will make plans to send the box to you by diplomatic means where you will be the recipient because as a uniformed military staff and I cannot parade such an amount. I have a 100% authentic means of transferring the box through diplomatic courier service. Just all I need is your
acceptance to receive the box and all is done.

If you are interested in my proposal, I will give you the complete details you require for us to carry out this transaction successfully. I wrote you this message because i decided to find someone real and not imaginary. If you trust me, I will definitely trust you.

Right now, I only communicate by our military installations, the Telephone communication here is secured in such a way that our phone calls will be monitored but communication through e-mails is more safe and i have chosen our communication means to be through E-mail only.

When i hear from you, then I can explain in detail everything else you need to know. If you accept my proposal, please send me your Full name, Address and Direct phone line. I am writing from a fresh email account so if you are not interested, do not respond to this email and please delete this message. If do not get any reply from you after 3 days I will be looking for someone else.

Once this transaction is started, In less than 5 days the money should be in your possession and I will come immediately to meet you for the sharing of the money. Reach me at this e-mail address: captalexsidney55@aim.com it is more confidential.

Remember, kindly Get back to me with your full information:

Your full name ........................
Your full address .....................
Your direct phone ...................

Regards,
Captain Alex Sidney.

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