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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: maureen jaffar <maureenjaffar1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: maureenjaffar@cantv.net
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2010 00:51:38 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: PLEASE HELP ME OUT I NEEDED YOUR HELP


Hello My Dear,

Permit me to inform you of my desire to go into business relationship with you, after going through your profile and I prayed over it and selected your name among other names due to the nature of my proposal, which requires a reputable and trustworthy person. Someone who will be kind and sincere to me. I am writing to seek your partnership in the investment of my inheritance.

I am Miss Maureen Jaffar. From Ivory Coast, I am an orphan and I need your honest assistance to transfer my inheritance (USD$9.700, 000.00) which my late father deposited in a security company. here for my schooling and some other needs when I am old enough to take care of myself. befor his assasination for reason which I will let you know as soon as I hear your quick reply. I am honourable seeking your assistance in the following ways.

(1) To serve as my guardian in your country while I will depend on your expert advise since l am a girl of 21 years.
(2) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country in order to further my university education and to secure a residential permit for me in your country. Moreover l am willing to offer you 25% of the total sum as compensation for your assistance in the transfer of this deposit to your country. Furthermore, you can indicate your option towards assisting me as l believed that this project would be concluded within seven days you signify interest to assist me by contacting the security company.
I require your assistance to transfer the money out of Africa to a more relaxed environment, an environment free from political disturbances, riots, civil war and demonstration, an environment where human rights are respected. I want you to help me to transfer this fund to your country for investment purposes on the followings below:
 
1). Telecommunication
2). International School
3). Five star hotel
 
If you can be of an assistance to me, I will be pleased to offer to you 25% Of the total fund.
 
I await your soonest response. Please I would like you to keep this proposal as a top secret and delete it if you are not interested in assist me,
 
 
Extend my warmest regards to you.
Sincerely,
 
Ms Maureen Jaffar

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