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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: emma boateng <boateng_essien@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 08 Sep 2011 07:46:54 +0700
Subject: ATTENTION PLEASE!...

Greeting I got your contact via Internet as God wishes. My name is Mrs.dourine E boateng and I am living with Heart Problem.Ever since my husband, Hon. Lawrence R.Nkruma,Former Ghanaian Agriculture minister died of Heart Problem the mass media wouldn't just let me and my family live,I have two kids who is now in motherless baby home my children have stopped going to school because they could no longer stand the humiliations from fellow students,the embarrassments are getting on my nerves but what can I do? I would have loved to travel out of the country to a place where I will have Peace and spend the rest of my Life with my children but I couldn't make it for I am weak and severely sick, Moreover,no Embassy would grant me Visa to there Country with my Hairs withering and boils all over my body,I will like you to keep this top secret and Confidential,I will like you to come to Ghana to see me face to face with my kids and the money and Gold,come down and see things for yourself.I know that my days are numbered.In the light of the above,I have contacted you to assist me to transfer out of Ghana The SUM OF $2.2 Million USD and the 145kg of Gold which my husband deposited as [Alluvial dust GOLD TREASURES] with a security company for the Adoption or Adopt of my kids and the up-keep Of my children,and safe-keep it for my children as they will be coming Over to your country in due course to live and school. Dear I need a sponsor who can finance this project and secondly after the fund is secured you will invest the money for my children in commercial estate or any business of your choice you deem healthy.I am looking forward to hear from you while thanking you for your anticipated co-operation,in this regard I will also need your personal Email address with your telephone and full name. Kind Regards, Mis dourine E b

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