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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: Sarah Powell <tlk2sarah_586@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2012 13:49:40 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Hello


Hey friend

How are you? Guess you are fine and living good. Nice having your
address with the aid of my new search device, my name is Sarah and I'm
from New York City USA. Here just looking for better friendship and pen
pals both women and men to share interest and lot more with. I love
discussing all issues and learning other people's cultures and
languages. Hope to get more good and lasting friends outside my state.
Friends re like cloths, and life is naked without one.

About me in a brief, my names are Sarah Powell; a native of Chicago
Illinois but working with a recruitment and resettlement agency here in
NYC. That’s all for now till I hears from you. Tell me about yourself
and your country.

Plz excuse me if I erred by contacting you in this mail, you can forward
my message to any of your preferred mailbox and reply via it for easier
correspondence.

Xpecting to hear from you soonest, till then bye.

Your new friend,
Sarah

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