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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: "Barrister Sam Ego" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <samego36@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2011 04:02:16 -0700
Subject: ($150,MILLION.) FOR INVESTMENT

 
 
Dear Friend,
REF:ONE HUNDREND AND FIFTY MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS,
($150,MILLION.) FOR INVESTMENT.
I am an Attorney Sam Ego based in Monrovia here
the capital of Liberia. This fund belongs to one of
my clients, an ex-President of my Country Mr.Charles Taylor.
He asked me to get a reliable some One to help him invest this
fund over there in your Country,
 
These said funds investment amount $150musd is been  assigned by
Mr.President Charles Taylor  for investment allocation we have
alot of money to invest wisely under your care.20% of the total
sum has been assigned as per your share.I Shall visit you with
the wife of the president to your country for the investment.
once the funds hits into your account for the onward investment.
Kindly get back to me with the following information s of yours
to enable me start the processing.
 
1. Your Full name & Age:----------------
Contact Address:-------------------
Contact Telephone:--------------------
Occupation & Position:-------------------
 
Above all, I wish to assure you that the funds in
question is not an act of Terrorist Funding, neither
Money Laundering nor Drug-funding. Thus, the transfer
will follow the normal protocol of funds transfer,
backed up with its papers so that you will not
encounter any difficulties/problem with your Federal
Monetary Control authorities.
I await your urgent response.
Thanks and God bless.
Barrister Sam Ego
 

Anti-fraud resources: