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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: "Mark Hertling" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Mark_hertling@live.com>
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:58:56 +0530
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL!!!


Dear Sir/Madam,

I am interested in establishing and operating a very viable business as a
means of investment abroad. I do not know too well on how this is done in
your country, and I will need you to help me in this regard.

My preference is any good profit yielding businesses and I would
appreciate any viable ideas you could come up with. I will also need you
to help me look for properties like homes and lands for sale as I am
proposing to invest the sum of ($2, 000,000 USD)
United States Dollars for this. I do not know if you can and will be of
help to me.

For a brief on my personality; my name is MR MARK HERTLING. a retired
South African politician now I based in U.K (Great Britain),
I am 55 years of age, married with wife and 2 {two) lovely children. I
have had so many problems with the British Authority just because I was
formerly holding a public office
and they want to investigate my assets.

My need for this business proposition and to acquire these properties is
very urgent as I am planning to move out of U.K. with my family down to
your country. I want you to also help in finding a good home where my
family will live

Please I expect your good and prompt reply so that we can proceed swiftly.
I will need your phone and fax numbers for easier communication with you
if I am unable to access my emails. Please here are my contact details:
mail id: mark_hertling@live.com


Best Regards,

MR MARK HERTLING

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