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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: Mrs Magriet Douglas <mrsmagdouglass@gmail.com>
Reply-To: magdouglas0@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2013 14:29:59 +0100 (BST)
Subject: please help me with my two children




 
FROM:MRS. MAGRIET DOUGLAS
CONFIDENTIAL
REF: INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE
Dear,
 
I am writing with my personal respect in regards to my family venture in yourcountry, I am researching for Good firm as a reliable, Trustworthy and Godfearing. I got your contact through the help of chamber of commerce in Abidjanthe Capital of COTE D'IVOIRE.In deed I am the wife of Late MR KOVO DOUGLAS fromSierra Leone.

I and My two children are presently staying in Burkina Faso as Refugees; my husband was one of the Ministers ofJohnny Paul Koromah's regimes in Sierra Leone.
 
During the intervention of the ECOLOGY Soldiers to restore the presidency ofAlhaji Tejan KABBAH from Johnny Koromah's, my husband was among the 23 executedMinisters.
 
 As our breadwinner is dead (my husband) and our stays in Sierra Leone are no more save, I and my twochildren decided to move to Burkina Faso a Neighboring African Country forsafety. Due to our Status in Burkina Faso as refugees I was forced to Lodge ourfamily funds (USD 10.5 million) in finance house.
 
Ever since then we have been receiving help from our Mission, because we arestaying in one of the Visitor's villa in the church premises and attendsFellowship and worship fully. I hope you will be Touched to understand myrequest.
 
We have agreed to invest our money valuable in any overseas country throughyour assistance and Directives.
 
You will provide or look for a lucrative venture where this money can beinvested on, before proceeding, we will get to be more familiar and also gointo an Understanding working agreement because our family's Future now dependson this money. 
 
The boxes containing the money and treasures were all deposited and Registeredas a family treasures. This was done for Security reasons.
 
We would like to know what you will take as your Percentage for assisting us.
 
We sincerely wish to introduce and make you our Business partner and
overseer of our proposed Investment in your country.
 
We are prepared to send all the documents regarding to this deposit as soon
as you show you're immediate Response Email.
 
Do notfail to give me your telephone and fax numbers.
Best Regards,
 
Mrs.Magriet Douglas.

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