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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: "Dr. Colin Wong" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <colinwong.2h@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Sep 2013 13:11:29 -0400
Subject: Dear Esteemed Invitee-2013.

Dear Esteemed Invitee,
Hi. I am Colin Wong, a member of the Board of several PETRONAS subsidiary companies. Over the past three decades, I have worked to develop multiple research initiatives across the world, in particular investigating in improving oil recovery factor and environmental solutions as a means of enhancing competitiveness of PETRONAS and Malaysia.
At this time, I am writing to you to make a proposal regarding investment collaboration opportunity. I am proposing to you a business investment partnership opportunity, which I need someone with your background who will handle multimillion dollars investment in your country. I found you through Google-search directory and as you read this, if you are interested in working with me on this multimillion dollars investment collaboration and related future projects, please email me back as soon as possible for the details of the investment funds and procedures in sequence.
Furthermore, I want every of my dealings with you to be carried out legally, genuinely and transparent. And I hope that this letter finds you well. I greatly appreciate your time with regard to this matter.

Thank you again for your time, as I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Colin Wong
Email: cw2h.patronas@gmail.com

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