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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: Sonia peterson <sonia_p10034@msn.com>
Reply-To: soniapeterson1988@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 15:34:30 +0000
Subject: Hello my Dearest,

Hello my Dearest,
 
I am writing this mail with tears and sorrow to seek for your assistance regards to my situation since the death of my parents, I know this letter might come to you as a surprise because we have not met each other or see face to face before. My name is Ms. Sonia Peterson  I'm from Benghazi –Libya, 23 years old female and never married before. My father (General Peterson Abdel Fattah) He was shot to death by Islamist-linked militant troops within the anti-Gaddafi forces on 28th July, 2011 and after two days later my mother with my two brothers was Killed one early morning by the rebels as result of civil war that going on in my country Libya. I am now writing to seek for your assistance from Burkina Faso, where I managed to escaped to nearby country through the help of United Nation after the death of my parents, and now seeking asylum in catholic Mission Refugee Camp here in Burkina Faso.
 
Meanwhile, the main reason why I am seeking for your assistance is because of the money my late father deposited in one of the banks in Burkina Faso with my name as the next of kin which amount is (Four Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars cash) and also (50kg of Gold) He deposited the gold with the bank in truck box as family valuables for safe keeping. However, I have being advised by the bank Manager who I meet in person the day I visited the bank to ask how the money can be release to me ,Due to the legal procedures and the instruction according to the records from my father's file with the bank The second day I visited the bank concerning the fund and how i can receive it, The bank directors Advised me to look for a foreign partner who will stand as my trustee to claim the fund due to my refugee status. I have come to you with tears and sorrow asking for your help to stand as my trustee also provide account where the bank will transfer the money, It is my intention to compensate you with 30% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my capital investment in your country through your help. Please get back to me if you are interesting by assisting me claiming the fund, so that I will give you all the account and bank details & contact of the Bank where this Fund is deposited. Honestly i want the fund to be transferred to your country before I come over to your country to continue my education, honestly I am really suffering since I arrived in this country, it is too painful due to the problem in Africa crisis everywhere and killing and fighting, but i hope with your help I will have the fund transferred to your country and continue there to secure my life and continue my studies. As soon as i receive your interest in assisting me, i will send you more details. In the light of the above, i shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely,
 
Yours Faithfully,
Ms. Sonia Peterson
please reply to  soniapeterson1988@gmail.com
 

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