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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: Mr Usman <usman.kamal01@sify.com>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 00:55:11 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Compliments of the season,


Compliments of the season,
 

I am Mr Usman Kamal from Burkina faso, West Africa, here in Ouagadougou . I
work with Bank Of Africa, (B.O.A) I am writing following an opportunity in my
office that will be of an immense benefit to both of us. In my depaartment we
discovered an abandoned sum of $25 million USA Dollars (Twenty Five MILLON US
Dollars) in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customers Late Mr.

 
Morris Thompson an American who unfortunately lost his life in the
plane crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 which crashed on January 31 2000,
including his wife and only daughter. You shall read more about the crash on
visiting this site.     http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/081301/foc_native_corps.shtml
 
The choice of contacting you is aroused from the geographical nature
of where you live, particularly due to the sensitivity of the transaction and
the confidentiality herein.
Now our bank has been waiting for any of the
relatives to come-up for the claim but nobody has done that. I personally have
been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for 2 years now, I seek your consent
to present you as the next of kin / Will Beneficiary to the deceased so that the
proceeds of this account valued at 25 Million Dollars can be paid to you. This
will be disbursed or shared in these percentages, 60% to me and 40% to you. You
cab reach me through my private email ID : usman.kamal01@sify.com
 
All I require now is your honest co-operation; confidentiality and
trust to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee you that this will
be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will proteact you from any
breach of the law. Please, provide me the following: as we have seven (7) days
to run it through. This is very URGENT PLEASE. KINDLY send the details below:

 
1. Full Name
2. Your Telephone Number
3. Your Contact Address.

4. Your photo
 
Your urgent response will be highly anticipated and
appreciated.
 
Best regards,    
Mr Usman
Kamal



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