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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: Mariatou George <mariatouraymond@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:02:49 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Warm greetings from me,


My Dear,

I apologies for intruding into your privacy, since we don't know each other, but 

pay attention and understand my reason of contacting you Please don't be angry with 

me my Dear, I am happy to get in contact with you after my prayer to God 

for a direction to find a nice trusted and sincere reliable friend I was motivated to write to you 

after seen your email address at http://www.kissinuk.com/  searching for true love and friend  and I want a serious friendship with you,

I know  that this email will meet you in a good health and also surprised but God have his own way of bringing people together my dear.

I am here to seek your advice of which I know that it will helps me to overcome my situation, 

I am presently single above all God fearing woman, 

My dearest, In your usual time, may it please you to write me back in my email address. 

So that I will explain more about myself, my details, my pictures and purpose of writing to you.

Please do not neglect a humble and lonely heart that seeks your love. 

A good friendship is the foundation build on other relative things to come. 

May God bless you as I wait impatiently to hear from you.

Thanks and remain blessed 

From Mariatou.

Anti-fraud resources: