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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: Mrs Sofia Ali <mrssofiaali001@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrssofia80@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2013 05:46:43 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT

WORLD BANK
World Bank Auditors Desk
Central Bank of Burkina Regional Delegation
Central Bank of Burkina Office Milbank Tower
12th Floor 21-24; Milbank, Burkina SW1P 4QP, bf


Beneficiary,

RE: INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF
USD $10,500,000.00 BEING YOUR INHERITANCE, CONTRACT/LOTTERY PAYMENT.

We in the World Bank wish to congratulate and inform that you will be paid instalments and the first approved instalment is TEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS (USD10.5Million)Do furnish this office with your full name and address with your mobile phone and fax number include your Banking details where you wish your fund to be credited. This instruction and mandate is received today from the Central Bank of Burkina.

Regards,
Mr. Sofia Ali.
(Director)
World Bank Desk
Central Bank of Burkina Regional Delegation

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