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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. Gary Freeman" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <captgary@blumail.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2011 16:43:28 +0100
Subject: Can We Work This Out Together?

Greetings

My name is Capt. Gary Freeman, a Capt in the US Army,a West Point Graduate presently serving in the Military of the 1st Brigade, 82nd Infantry Division, "Devils in Baggy Pants" or "Devil Brigade. Peace keeping force in Baghdad, Iraq, and i am seriously in need of your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of two military trunk boxes which has just arrived the USA, and it has your name and address as the legal beneficiary to the boxes. You can view the link below for more info, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
Please can you be trusted on this?

If you can, do let me know,and get back to me as quickly as you can. I am also sorry if i have crossed the line by sending the boxes to you without your knowledge, but i can explain better. First, i need
coaster stephen: to know if you can be fully trusted?if you can, Let me hear from you today, and i would highlight you more on everything.

Yours Respectfully,
Capt. Gary Freeman
Us Army


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