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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: "Abdul Hakim Belhaj" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 22:32:21 +0100
Subject: hello Friend

From Mr. Abdul Hakim Belhaj
Commander Tripoli Millitary Council.

I got your contact through some discreet inquiry from the chamber of commerce and industry; one has no doubt in your ability to handle a financial business transaction. My name is Abdel Hakim Belhaj, Leader of the newly formed Tripoli Millitary Council who ousted the repressive regime of Col Muarmar Gaddaffi.
After fighters from my Tripoli Brigade broke through the defences of the ousted leader's fortress in the heart of the city, Col Muammar Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound, I discovered A metal save: containing (USD33M) thirty three million United States of American Dollars, which I managed to move out of my country to a financial firm with the help of a private security company.
I am willing to offer you 25% of this fund for your assistance if you cooperate to help me receive this deposit.
However: Note and bear with me, for the safety and success of this business I will advocate that all communication between myself and your veryself throughout this business be done by email. Please contact me through my allocated email address: (abehaj@live.ru) I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Kind Regard,
Mr. Abdul Hakim Belhaj.
(abehaj@live.ru)

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