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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: THOMAS JOE <chico_good9999@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: THOMAS JOE <thomasjoe1@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:17:09 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Ref: GXX86HUK




 
Ref: GXX86HUK
As you are aware of the activities of terrorist attacked at our airport,during our daily routine on 100% inspection of incoming and our going flights, we arrested a man with a consignment that claiming to be yourpartner, after we scan thetrunk box, we discovered the trunk box contain liquid cash in [US] Note and other documents attached to the consignmentdid not carry the suspect name, but carry $?{N0W your name and address as the receivers of the trunk box and this is very SUSPICIOUS.Get back to me immediately to explain your intention; before I proceed to contact my superior and your embassy for more investigation, hope you arenot sponsoring terrorism with this fund? be very sincere to me please.Yours in service, Office of Thomas joe,Metropolitan police chief.Heathrow Airport UK.EMAIL thomasjoe1@hotmail.com

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