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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: merry merry <garba4u_merry@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: merrymerry16@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:35:10 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Hello dear friend


Hello dear friend

It is nice and joyful to find your profile here.How are you,i Saw your
Email today when browsing in Google email I thought is beautiful to make
you a friend in this regard.My name is Merry Benson I am a female. My
friends tell me that I am a quiet person with a good sense of humor.I am
always fair, straightforward, honest and easy going and I seek trust
worthy friendship. I believe in giving and taking on both sides and i
value faithfulness.I like people for what they are and not for what they
are not.Please I want to be your friend, and let share whatever we have
in friendship,Find my profile; I will Like you to write to my Email
Address so that o will explain More about me:
    
        Height: 174 cm 5' 7
        Weight: 60 kg 148
lbs
        Waist: 24"
        Eyes: Brown
        Hair: Black
        Marital Status: Single
        Kids: No kids
        Languages spoken: Fluent English

        Return email to my id:

        Yours truly

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