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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Capt. Anita George" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mailanita02@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:25:34 +0100
Subject: Message From Capt. Anita George

Greetings,
 
I know you will be surprised to read my email. I got your contact from your Email domain, apart from being surprise you may be skeptical to reply me because based on what is happening on the internet world, one has to be very careful  because a lot of scammers are out there to scam innocent citizens and this has made it very difficult for people to believe anything that comes through the internet but this is a different case.
 
lf you are willing to show me your honesty and trust, I think I will be able to trust and work with you. I am an American and you should be rest assured that I cannot be invovled in scam.
 
My name is Capt. Anita George , a member of the U.S. ARMY USARPAC MedicalTeam, which was deployed to Iraq at the beginning of the war in Iraq. Although the war has ended, for me to proved this to you, see the site below for more information,
 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/30/iraq-us-troop-withdrawal-celebrations_n_1176330.html
http://dailycaller.com/2011/12/27/as-iraq-war-ends-no-parade-for-troops-is-imminent/
 
But I refused to come along with them inrespective of the fact that the war has ended. The reason for this is that I deposited two consignment boxes with a security company in Iraq. As a result of this, I have to escape and stayed behind to make sure that I am able to get these boxes out before coming to America, knowingly, that if I am able to get this done I will live a better life.  Please, I want this to be between me and you Since I am at large.
To Prove my sincererity, you are not sending me any money. Because most of this scam is about sending money.
 
Though, I would like to hold back some informations for security reasons for now until you have found time to visit the BBC website stated below to enable you have an insight into what I intend sharing with you, believing that it would be of your desired interest one-way or the other.
 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
http://www.jonathanforeman.com/military/nyp_iraq/04192003_chest.html
http://www.voanews.com/burmese/archive/2003-04/a-2003-04-20-1-1.cfm  (VOA NEWS)
 
Also, could you get back to me having visited the above website to enable us discuss in a more clarifying manner to the best of your understanding. I must say that I'm very uncomfortable sending this message to you without knowing truly if you would misconstrue the importance and decides to go public. In this regards, I will not hold back to say that the essence of this message is strictly for mutual benefit between you and I and nothing more.
 
I will be vivid and coherent in my next message in this regards, meanwhile, could you send me an email confirming that you have visited the site and that you have understood my intentions? I would like you to get back to me with with the following informations;
 
1. Full Name
2. Address
3.Occupation
4.Age
 
I do not need your telephone number because I cannot call you, we can only communicate through email.
 
I will await your reply via my email.
Thanks,
Best Regards
Capt. Anita George

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