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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: melisa <melisa.kwame@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: ms.melise_kawme@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:26:05 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Greeting Dear,


Greeting Dear,
I know you will be surprise to receive my mail since we have neither seen nor met before but after going through your profile and more consideration about this offer. I have decided to contact you and introduce myself. I am Ms Melisa  Kwema the only child  of late Mr Kwema Damain, I wish to request for your assistance in a financial transaction and wish to invest in Manufacturing and real estate management in your country. I have Six million five hundred thousand united states dollars.USD($6.500,000) to invest in your country, and I will require your assistance in receiving the funds in your personal account for investment, I will be gladly to give you 10% of the total sum for your assistance. Please it is very important you contact me immediately on my email for further explanation on how we will proceed.
Awaiting your immediate response.
Thanks and God bless.
Best Regards
Ms Melisa Kwema

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