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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: MISS Rita William <william_rita@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: ritawilliam15@rocketmail.com
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:54:05 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: FROM MISS Rita William





FROM MISS Rita William In a brief introduction, I am Rita William (18 years) the only surviving child of late Dr. Anthony William. I am in possession of some documents covering the deposit of  US$5. Million (Five million  dollars) which my late father deposited in one of the security company in ABIDJAN Capital city of COTE D' IVOIRE. I have verified the existence of the consignment with the security company here and it's authenticity is clear. This fund that contains in the consignment is of no criminal origin as it was realized from sales of the alluvial gold dust.I am soliciting for your kind assistance in retrieving and claiming this fund from the security company here as my father's business associate and have it released and delivered to you in your country for investment purpose. You will also serve as the guardian to this fund as I'm not at all knowledgeable in the international business world. I will give you further details as soon as I
hear from you, and we will discuss terms and percentage subsequently but you must treat highly confidential.I await for your response. Best wishesMs.  Rita William.

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