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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: "From Helez" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <helez1987@superposta.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 02:40:15 -0700
Subject: FROM MISS HELEZ IN LIBYA?. I WANT TO RELOCATE?

Good morning to you. May I introduce myself breifly as I do not have sufficient time to write in details for the moment. My name is Miss Helez Queinz. I,m a single female student. I come from Republic De Cuba. I know you will be surprise to receive this message from complete stranger from Cuba but it is a great pleasure writing and knowing you and I have decided to write you all about me and my position here in Libya.
 
 
I want you to know that it is God almighty that connects people and makes out of them whatsoever he desires, and this my having to write you in the first place regarding this issue which is from God?s own direction as I never knew you before nor have we meet in any where before but may Gods name be praised for his ways are not like the ways of men, for he is perfect and never miss leads his loved ones.I know that when God is with one no one can be against him or her, and I know that my having made you the one to carry on this cross will bring joy to my soul and to many others out there that will stand to benefit from the foundation when it is established.
 
 
 
I want you to know that I might not be readily available all the time to respond to your email as internet service is far from where am staying and will be glad you always call me on phone once I provide you phone where I can be reached for my safety, as you well know that I am in a critical condition, situation here and want to move out of here soonest.
 
 
I have something very important to confide and disclose to you after loosing my parent in the hand of Gadaffi forces who accused my late father of supporting the revolutionaries in the country where he live in Brega doing his importation of Gold Dust into the country here in Libya.
I will stop here until I hear from you to enable me write you in details about myself and what I want to discuss with you which is very important, concerning and urgent.
 
 
 
I am writing this letter in confidence believing that if it is the wish of God for you to help me , God almighty will bless and reward you abundantly and you would never regret this.  Please, note that this is legitimate business because the money in question belongs to my father and no risk involved in helping me out over this transfer and the Gold Dust.
 
Well, my lovingly parents died in the hand of the Gadaffi forces who accused him of supporting the Revolutionaries who are fighting for their freedom, He lives in Brega-Libya and has his Gold Import Business.  I am his only daughter and eldest child and I am the only person who can take care of his wealth now  as the bonafid next of kin because my younger brother too is dead after sustain injury in the hand of the forces and I only managed to sneak out of our building when the forces came and burnt the entire houses. Now I strongly believe I am  matured a bit to face the life. I know my entire father's wealth. Before the crisis escalated, my late father arranged with a Diplomatic Courier Company who assist him to ship the total of $17.8Million USD AND 160KILOS of Gold to Spain which was accompanied by a Diplomatic Agent who has been there awaiting for my daddy arrival for the clearance of it from the Vault where it was lodged and deposited for safe keeping.
 
I want it to be invested in your country  where I want to relocate and have a better life and living and decided to contact you directly with my complete details , I want to invest with you and want you to manage the fund in Good profitable business venture once it arrive into your care. I have never done business or investment before and want you to be my sponsor , partner and fund manager once being transferred.
Your country is a place where my late father has intended to invest before his sudden death and I know is a very good and peaceful place to live. I know is a good place to leave and have peace. Please, note that this is legitimate business because the money in question belongs to my father and no risk involved and I hope you have the ability and resources to assist me in this venture.
You see , I am in a terrible situation here in the Village between Boarder of Libya and Tunisia which I have been for the past weeks.
 
I want to know if you can assist me to travel to Spain-Valencia to have the consignment cleared once I issue the power of attorney authorizing you to stand as my investor, sponsor and manager. I have consulted my late fathers lawyer who has been out of Libya for the safety of his life as he is also wanted by the Gadaffi regime and he will issue power of attorney in your name and favor as the person I nominated and authorize to assist me clear the consignment in Spain.
 
I will need your complete details to enable the lawyer issue the power of attorney in your favor that will empower you to have the consignment cleared on my behalf.
 
I need your full name, contact address, telephone and mobile, your occupation and age and scan copy of your identification like Passport or Driving license.
 
I want to know if you can travel to Spain or you will assist me to settle for the clearance fee over there in Spain to enable the Diplomat clear it and have it conveyed in your destination. Traveling to Spain will enable you to see everything with your eyes and understand my plea to you over this matter.
 
Thanks as I await your call and response.
 
Miss Helez

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