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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: "RODNEYALLEN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <rodneyallen12@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 00:52:58 +0100
Subject: I AWAIT YOUR URGENT RESPONSE....

Hello,
 
I want to trust you with this classified and confidential information.
 
Before I continue, let me introduce myself to you, I am Capt.Rodney Allen, the commander of the Special NATO coalition force with the United Nation troops in Afghanistan. My country is United States of America. I have now in my possession the sum of (USD $32M) Thirty Two Million US Dollars which I recovered from one of our numerous raids here in Afghanistan.
 
This box of money has been deposited with the Red cross society here in Kabul as a diplomatic luggage for safe keep and to make contacts for its proper use. As the team leader, it is under my power to approve whoever comes forth for this money.
 
So I need someone I can deal with on trust and that is why I contacted you. As soon as I get your response, I will put you forward as the owner of the money 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 a 100% sure means of moving the money through Red Cross to you.
 
Once I confirm your interest and your positive reply, I will proceed to register your name as the owner of the luggage. This money is my life and I am willing to give you 40% of the total sum when the money is delivered to you. I wait your response so we can proceed immediately. In less than five days the money should be in your safe custody.
 
The only telephone access we have is radio message which is for our general use and is being monitored. Therefore all communication will be via email until we finish our assignment here and fly straight to your country to meet you. Thank God for President Barack Obama whose keen interest is to call us back home soon.
 
Regards,
 
Rodney Allen

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