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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: "Capt.Stephane Pyros" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <capt.stephane.p@googlemail.com>
Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2011 03:54:33 +0100
Subject: Very Important

Dear Friend,
   I am a captain with the United Nations troop in Iraq, on war against terrorism. Based on the United States legislative and executive decision for withdrawing troops from Iraq come this year, I have been deployed to come and work in your country's military base soonest. Our mission is to help beef up terrorist targeted states, mostly the United states and the United Nation on the war against terrorism. I will need full trust from you that is why I contacted you.
 
in my possession the sum of 27.2 million USD. I have I deposited this money with a Red Cross agent informing him that we are making contact for the real owner of the money. It is under my power to approve whoever comes forth for this money. I cannot move this money to the United states because i will be in Europe for about 3years,I am looking for your cooperation in  buying or building a Tourist Hotel or Real Estate in your country.I am sorry if this is not in line with your business. I need an experienced person like you to assist me to set up, develop the project. On the resumption of the project, you will be made a Director for the role and the assistance you rendered.
You will also be entitled to a percentage agreed upon between me and you before the commencement of the project. Your immediate reply will be highly appreciated and I shall give you more information on this project, so i need someone i could trust, that is why i contacted you.
If you accept, I will transfer the money to you and you will be the beneficiary because, i am a uniformed person and i cannot be parading such an amount so i need to present someone as the beneficiary. I am an American and an intelligence officer for that so i have a 100% authentic means of transferring the money through diplomatic transfer.
 
  I just need your acceptance and all is done. Please if you are interested in this transaction i will give to you the complete details
I hope to hear from you soon
 
Best Regards
Capt.Stephane Pyros
 

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