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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: "Safia Farkash Gahdafi" <liefbel@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:15:11 +0100
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL

Greetings, I am Mrs.Safia Farkash Gahdafi the wife of the late Libyan Leader Colonel Muammar Gahdafi. Following the recent rebellion in my country and the brutal death of my husband on the 20 Oct 2011, I have been thrown into a state of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness; I have been subjected to physical and psychological torture by the security agents in Algeria where we are currently seeking refuge. My son was killed by the rebels for an offense he did not commit. As a widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence in anybody within the country. You must have heard over the media reports and the internet on the recovery of various huge sums of money deposited by my husband in different firms abroad, some companies willingly gave up their secrets, disclosing our monetry transactions with them and many outright blackmail.In fact the total sum discovered by the Government so far is in the tune of ($11bn). Eleven Billion Dollars. And they are not relenting to make me and my family poor for life. I got your contact via my research in the world chamber of commerce database and out of desperation decided to reach you through this medium. I will give you more information as to this regard as soon as you reply. I repose great confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security network placed on my day to day affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy so that is why I decided to contact you and I ho pe you will not betray my trust and confidence in you. This is purely a political witchunt to bring me and my family down. Yes i am aware that my husband has misappropriated libyan funds, but let us not forget that there is no leader who hasn't and despite the fact that he did so, he equally alleviated poverty and improved the living standard of over 80% Libyans. Including the imposition of agriculture and pipe-borne water supply all through the desert areas of Libya. My aim of contacting you, is to stand as a beneficiary to an undisclosed amount which i will disclose to you upon your reply accepting my proposal. I appreciate your timely suggestion and interest over this matter Best Regards Mrs.Safia Farkash Gahdafi

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