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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: "mrfawazhusseinabdullah@yahoo.com" <fawazhusseinabdullah@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 07:52:03 -0500
Subject: THIS INFORMATION DEMANDS YOUR MOST SERIOUS AND URGENT ATTENTION!!!

Dear Sir/Madam,

My message will definitely come to you as a pretty surprise as we have
not met before. Notwithstanding, the circumstances surrounding my
plight compels me to contact you for a serious business transaction.

Briefly, my name is Fawaz Hussein, Personal Assistant to the late
Col.Muammar Al Gaddafi, President of Libya, who was killed by the Nato
Forces led by Lt.Gen.Charles Bouchard, here in Sirte Libya.

When late Col.Muammar Al Gaddafi, saw that we had indeed lost power to
the Nato Forces led by .Gen.Charles Bouchard here in Libya, he
directed me to look for an escape route by moving cash outside that
will help us soon as we are able to leave the country. His instruction
was successfully carried out and the sum of US$65 million, was
successfully moved in cash to a safe custody.

Now that Col.Muammar Al Gaddafi, is dead and as his personal assistant
i have no free movement, i am therefore, contacting to entrust the
US$65 million in your hands and would want my share of the money
invested in lucrative ventures for me.

I will give you full details of the transaction soon as i receive your
positive response and most importantly, an assurance from you to
protect and enhance my interest on your receipt of the money.

Looking forward to your positive response as well as doing business with you.

Yours faithfully,

Fawaz Hussein
Libya.




Anti-fraud resources: