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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: El-Rufai Ibrahim <erufi40@msn.com>
Reply-To: <elrufai.ibrahim@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:32:36 +0000
Subject: ATTN;



After my official inquiry from the foreign trade office of the chambers of commerce & industry here, I decided to contact you but I did not disclose the intention to anyone else because of the delicate nature of the project. I found your profile very interesting and decided to reach you directly to solicit for your assistance.
Please, I must plead for your confidence in this transaction. I am a high placed official working with the former President of Libya (Col. Muammar Gaddafi). I was serving as the President's Aid - De - Camp (ADC), am currently in need of an experienced silent foreign partner whom I can trust to push some of the funds he deposited in my name in various financial firms in some countries he has business with.
Actually, my good friend, I was inducted by Col. Muammar Gaddafi after seeing my efficacy with former Liberian President (President Charles Taylor). I have been in charge of all financial matters concerning his funds due to the trust the President has on me, as you know in military, ADC is someone you must trust more than anyone else.
I want your assistance to move some of these funds to your country as you know that my boss is already death and the families are facing a serious problem in the hand of Libyan, I left his military when I saw that the fought of the Libyan was determined with legitimate right with the support of the western world which give me the opportunity to leave Libya. I will allow you trade with the total amount of this fund for the period of five (5) years and at the end of 5 years, 80% will be transferred to the account I will provide to you while 20% and the profit made within 5 years will be your wage for assisting me. All necessary documents/photos will be made available for prove in needed time.
I plead with you on one issue, whether you are interested or not, kindly do not expose this information to anyone else. I confirm that the transaction is legitimate and without any risk either to me or yourself. Please, give me your response immediately.
Yours Faithfully,El-Rufai Ibrahim.

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