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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: "YOON TAN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <yoontan19@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:40:16 +0530
Subject: Hi

My Dear, Ms. Yoon Tan is my name. I am female from Tibet, I am 19 years old. I am an under-graduate, I managed to escape into government refugee camp through the help of some Red Cross Personnel's working in our country. I have an estimate of US$10 Million in cash that my father left in bank in Malaysia. Now that he is no more, I want to transfer the ownership of the fund to you for safe keeping and relocate to your country to complete my medical course and permanently reside there. Please let me know if you can be honest with me and assist me. I proposed to remunerate you with 40% of the fund at the successful end for your honesty, transparency, confidentiality and sincerity of purpose. All further details will be disclosed to you as soon as I have your confidence. Reply to yoontan19@ymail.com private Respectfully Miss Yoon Tan.


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