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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: "JOHN COKER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <diplomatjohncoker2010@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:33:07 +0100
Subject: YOUR PACKAGE IS READY .......URGENT REPLY......JOHN COKER

Attn:

I am Diplomat John Coker , mandated to deliver your package to you in your country of residence.The Package came from the remittance department of the American Paycenter and you were made the beneficiary of this package and they enlisted my assistance in delivering the Package to you.

I am presently at Heathrow International Airport in the United Kingdom and will make arrangements to leave for your country to deliver the Package to you as soon as you have to reconfirm the following information so as to ensure that I am dealing with the right person.

1.Full Name..................
2.Residential Address....................
3.Age...................
4.Occupation....................
5.Direct Telephone Numbers......................

After verification of the information with what I have on file,I shall contact you so that we can make arrangements on the exact time I will be bringing your package to your residential address.Send the requested information so that we can proceed.

For Further Clarification, Call me on my direct line: +44-7045743709

Best Regards
Diplomat John Coker

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