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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: "Wendy Swartz." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wendswartz@qq.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2013 12:26:40 -0500
Subject: GREETINGS!

 
Greetings
My Name is Wend swartz am member of the U.S.A  ARMY USARPAC  medical team, which was deployed to Iraq at the beginning of the war in Iraq. Although the war has ended But am still in Iraq because i have some fund in a consignment deposited with a security company, for me to proved this to you, see the site below for more information.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
I got your contact from a  International League Equality & Diversity directory  from your country who told me how reliable you are and am contacting you base on that and i do hope you are going to give me your trust in carrying out this project which will be of benefit for you too.
I will need you to assist me to received This funds in a consignment.
As soon as i hear from you i will give you more details.
Regards,
Wend swartz
 

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