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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: "JAMES TERRY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jterry744@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:15:51 -0500
Subject: I NEED YOUR TRUST

Dear Friend,
My name is Capt James Terry, I'm 53yrs old, Widowed, I’m an Army in United States of America, A 1978 ROTC graduate from North Georgia College Infantry presently am in Afghanistan at the Kabul camp, a member of the U.S. army, which was deployed to Iraq at the beginning of the war in Iraq.

I want to trust you with this confidential proposal. I have now in my possession the sum of 8.5Million USD (Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) which i recovered from one of our raids on terrorists camps here in Afghanistan.

I have deposited the box of money with the RED CROSS under IMF here in Kabul As a diplomatic luggage for safe keep and to make contacts for its proper use which the Red Cross had transfer it to there Head Office in Kuala Lumpur. As the team leader it is under my power to approve whoever comes forth for this money.

So i need you on trust and that is why i contacted you. so If you accept, I will put you forward as the beneficiary/owner of the funds and then move the money to you. As a military personnel i cannot parade such an amount or carry it to my country so i need to present someone as the beneficiary. I just need your acceptance and all is done. I have 100% authentic means of transfering the money through diplomatic courier service to you where arrangements will be made to proceed to your country immediately you receive the money as my beneficiary.

Once i confirm your interest to my proposal, and your positive reply i will proceed to register your name as the beneficiary. Please i would like you to keep this proposal as a top secret between us. This money is my life and i am willing to give you 30% of the total sum when the money is deliver to you. I will wait for your response so we can proceed. Immediately you update me that you have receive the money, i will make plan how i will fly straight to your country to meet you. hope to read from you soon.

Finally, i want you to attach your recent pictures in your reply for more identification. I will give you more details upon your reply.

Best Regards,
Capt James Terry

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