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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: "Harry Hughson" <personallive23@live.com>
Reply-To: personallive22@live.com
Date: Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:59:02 -0700
Subject: PERSONAL ASSISTANT NEEDED URGENTLY.

Hello There,

I run a Small Art Gallery store and i am in need of personal assistant. I am Harry Hughson, Where are you located? I would love to meet up with you to talk about this job but I am currently away on business. I am presently in the Australia so there will be no interview, I will pre-pay you in advance to do my business errands. I will also have my mails and packages forwarded to your address. If you will be unable to stay at your house to get my mails, I can have it shipped to a post office close to you and then you can pick it up at your convenience. When you get my mails/packages; you are required to mail them to where I want them mailed to. You don't have to put money out of your pocket, all you have to do is have packages shipped to your house and do my shopping. You are allowed to open the packages to reveal its content.

The content of the packages are artworks, drawing and paintings and personal letters. All expenses and taxes will be covered by me.You will work between 18 and 20hrs a week How much will you charge per-week ? I will be paying $500 per-week for this position. That is not a bad offer is it? I need your service because I am constantly out of town. I work in real estate and I own Small Art Gallery in Victoria { Australia }. I will return to the Country by May 30 2011 so this process will be going-on till I get back in May 30 2011. If you don't mind, I will meet up with you when I return and then we can talk about the possibility of making this long term.

Well, let me know if you are able to handle the position. I will email you the list and pictures of what to shop for when I am ready. No heavy packages is involved! You can do the shopping at any nearest stores. You will be shopping for artworks, drawing and paintings. I will provide you my personal UPS account number for Shipping. All you have to do is provide my account number to UPS and shipping charges will be applied into the account. I will provide clear set of instructions for each task I need done as well the funds to cover them. If I were to mail you money to do my shopping plus upfront payment for your service, where would you want it mailed to? How should your name appear on the money? Maybe you can provide me with the following details below.

Full Name:
Full Address:
City:
State:
Age and Sex:
Phone Number:

Get back to me with the required details above , So that the pay-check can be forward to you as soon as possible and I will appreciate quick response from you.Thanks and please get back to me asap and confirm this mail asap.

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