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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: Barbara Atherly <atherlyb@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Barbara Atherly <atherlybb@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 09:12:27 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Please Urgent

Hello!
I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my trip... I'm currently in Philippines, on a short vacation as I write this ... what happened today is unbelievable, and now I am stuck here. I got mugged at gun point on my way to the hotel and my money, credit cards, phone and other valuables were stolen. Thank God they did not take my passport. I urgently need your help. I JUST NEED $2,000 TO SORT OUT MY HOTEL BILLS AND I promise to pay you back once I get home. I do have cash in my account, but I can't access it right now : because I had to cancel all my credit cards that were stolen!! I'm sending this from a free internet connection at the public library. I will be forever grateful if you can help me. Please respond quickly, as my flight leaves in a few hours and I need to pay my hotel bill.Please save me from the embarrassment of not being able to cover the charges.
Thanks Alot
Barbara.

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