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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: "faithalfred@cantv.net" <faithalfred@cantv.net>
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:56:59 -0430
Subject: From Mrs. Faith Alfred,

Hello Dear Beloved,
From Mrs. Faith Alfred,
 
Please my dear, do not feel embarrassed by my mail to you. I am Mrs. Faith Alfred, the wife of late Dr. Willimas Alfred a prominent business man  and pro-human right activist here in,  before his untimely death in 2006.
 
Well, during my late husband's lifetime,  he deposited the sum of  (€ 5 million -Five Million Euros) in one of the leading banks here and informed me concerning it. We intended to use this fund for charity and investment purposes for the up keeping/ future of our son,  Peter who is currently 16 years of age.
 
I am contacting you because I want you to help me in securing and  investing this money for the future and education of Peter Koaussi (my son ) since I am incapable of doing so due to my deteriorating/ bad  health situation occasioned by stroke and cancer which had lead to my doctors informing me that I might not last for more months.
 
I do not intend to leave this fund as my son is too young to handle it  as desired by my late husband, also, my late husband`s relatives are not worthy to be trusted with this fund due to their wickedness  towards my son and I since my condition deepened.
 
 
I have discussed this issue with my son and have resolved to make available to you 15% of the total money for your efforts and labour. I shall be expecting your reply- mail so that I will give you the contact of this bank and all the relevant documents and information to enable the concerned bank release this fund to you without difficulty.
 
 
 I will equally give you a power of attorney and a letter of confirmation so that you will not have any difficulty while undertaking this noble responsibility.
 
Best Regards.
Mrs. Faith Alfred
 

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