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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: "Mr. Felix Martins" <praviteaddress@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: fxmartins0@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:33:57 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Willing T Assist.


My Dear,

My final decision to contact you (a foreigner) to assist towards the transfer of this fund is because; I cannot succeed in moving the money without foreigners assistance.

My name is Mr. Felix Martins. I am a staff of a bank. Couple of years back, I used my position in the bank and used the bank fund to secretly finance a project with a foreign contractor. The contract has been successfully executed, completed and the contractor fully paid leaving my input. Proceed for my involvement is totaled US$7,470,000 - Seven million, four hundred and seventy thousand US Dollars only which is now ready to be transferred.

For the transfer to be done, you will need to supply your bank account details. When the fund is finally transferred to your account, I will come over for the sharing. I also intend to invest my share of the money in your country under your care.

For the sharing - I agree to give 40% of the money to you as your participation, 50% will be for me while 10% will be set aside for expenses.

I must emphasize at this point that my utmost desire from you is Trust and Honesty and above all, confidentiality. Please do not bother to respond if you cannot sincerely meet these conditions.

While waiting for your response for further clarifications, I thank you in anticipation.
Yours,
Mr. Felix Martins

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