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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: Helena Yunos <esmarbydgoszcz@neostrada.pl>
Reply-To: helenag2lim@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:11:51 +0800
Subject: VERY SERIOUS AND URGENT REPLY REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY,

Ms Helena Yunos ,

I am Ms Helena Yunos, I wish to seek for your help in a financial transaction, however,
is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honor my request against your will.
Your profile pushed me to send you this mail,I'm the daughter of late Dr. and Mrs Yunos Rahman .My father was a highly reputable business man (supplier of agro allied material and general merchandise) he operated in the Middle East and Europe during his days.
It is sad to say that he passed away in one of his trips to the UK. Although his death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by one of our uncles who travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother
died when I was a little girl, and since then my father took me so special. Before his death in 2009, he told me about the funds concealed the Ten Million United Dollars. (10,000,000.00 USD) kept in Asia.

The funds were kept with a finance bank in Asia. I have in my possession the funds Receipt which the finance bank gave to my late father on the day he made the fund with the firm in asia. I really don't know what to do than to seek your help in getting these funds on my behalf.

I have been through a lot of hard times here in London, hidden for my life. The death of my father has brought sorrows to my life. I am in a sincere desire of your help in this regards. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly appreciated. Will you permit me to ask these few questions:-

1. Can you honestly and willingly help me in this transaction?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money gets in your possession?

Please, read through and kindly get back to me as soon as possible.

My sincere regards,

Ms Helena Yunos.

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