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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: gift ismaila <gxxift4@msn.com>
Reply-To: giftismaila@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:28:18 +0000
Subject: Greetings from Gift Ismaila!

Greetings from Gift Ismaila!
 
I am writing this mail to you With due respect trust and humanity, i appeal to you to exercise a little patience and read through my letter i feel quite safe dealing with you in this my situation having gone through your remarkable profile, honestly i am writing this email to you with pains, tears and sorrow from my heart, i will really like to have a good relationship with you and i have a special reason why i decided to contact you, i decided to contact you due to the urgency of my situation, My name is Miss Gift Ismaila, 23yrs old girl and I’m from sudan in Africa. My late father was the Deputy General Manager with CNPC Oil Company at Khartoum refinery in Southern Sudan and was killed alongside with my beloved mother during the last crisis in my country when Janjaweed militant came to our house. Please reply here for your respond (giftismaila@gmail.com).
 
You can read more about my country in the bbc news.
 
After the burial of my father, my step-Mother and uncle conspired and sold my father's property to an Italian Expertrate which the shared the money among themselves and live nothing for me but after sharing the money among themselves i was still living happily with her since i have no where to live untill when she found out that the was a money willed to me, she asked me to travel with her to Burkina Faso where the money is deposited so that i can withdraw the money since i am the next of kin, but i refused because of evil mind she have on me and not only that, she was also bringing in men to our house and doing all sorts of things. And she begged me but i refused, and she threatened to kill me, that is why i ran away and came to Burkina Faso where the money is deposited as a refugee, and i went to the bank and they confirmed that the money is there and that i am the next of kin, but they now asked me to bring a foriegn trustee that will stand on my behalf,because that is what my late father instructed them.
 
Actually in search of an honest and reliable person who will help me to relocate to western world for a better life; i have chosen to contact you after my prayers and i believe you will not try to cheat me but rather take me as your own people. Though you may wonder why i am so soon giving in to you without seeing you, well i will say that my instant still tells me that you could be true to me. Briefly, I will like to disclose much to you if you will help me to relocate to your country with the substance that i inherited from my parent. I have a substantial amount of $5.6 Million us dollars which i will like to invest in your country into any lucrative business venture which you are to advise and execute seeing that i have no business experience for now.
 
However, I shall forward you with the necessary documents on confirmation of your acceptance to assist me for the transfer and investment of the fund. As you will help me in an investment, i will like to complete my studies, as i was in my 1st year in the university, when the crisis started. It is my intention to compensate you with 20% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my investment capital. This is the reason why i decided to contact you. I have contacted the Bank and they told me that i am free to come and claim the money as the only daughter of my late father as i have the secret number my father gave me. I thank God Today that am out from my country (sudan) but now in Christ De king Mission camp (Burkina Faso) as a refuge.
 
I am waiting for your reply through this email address only (giftismaila@gmail.com),
Best regards
Gift Ismaila.

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