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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: "Mrs. Safia Ghaddafi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <safiaghaddafi@zing.vn>
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2012 08:18:36 -0700
Subject: Dear respected friend, this is from Mrs. Safia Ghaddafi

Dear respected friend,
I got your contact information though a trusted friend here in Algeria.
I am Safia Farkash Ghaddafi, wife of late Libyan President Colonel Muammar
Ghaddafi, who was murdered in cold blood by the unfaithful opposition
leaders in my country. This is  against every known international treaty
and convention on Prisoner of War because he surrendered before he was
killed.  He was killed because of International Conspiracy against
my husband, late Col. Muammar Ghaddafi.
I have been able to escape to a Neighboring country, Algeria with my
daughter who recently gave birth to save our lives. I am desperately
looking for a foreign reliable partner whom I can trust to handle some
funds deposited in Europe in my name. The Western world have frozen most
of my late husband's assets and funds bearing Ghaddafi's name any
where in the world. Consequently, our status at present does not permit
us to open an account or run any huge financial business at the
moment;hence I have contacted you to take over the funds on our behalf.
The necessary  Legal documents will be made in your name to enable the
release of the funds to you by the financial Company. Your assistance will
enable usinvest the funds in your country. But before we proceed you will
promise methat you will not betray or abscond with the funds when it is
eventually releasedto you. I am not one who likes publicity and noise making,
yet some newspapers still wrote about me and my wealth.
You can copy the link below and paste on your web browser to see what I mean:
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/144251/libyas-first-lady-owns-airline.html
I will furnish you with more info as soon as I get your response
indicating your interest to partner with me. At present I don't
receive or make calls for security reason (s) as it is being
monitored. All communication for the time will be based on emails.
I await your prompt and positive response.
Thanks.
 
Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi

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