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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: Mike Anderson <mikeanderson2013@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 07:18:48 -0600
Subject: PERSONAL ASSISTANT NEEDED URGENTLY

Sir,Madam,

I'm looking for someone who can handle my business & personal errands at his/her

Spare time. Someone who can offer me these services:

* Mail services (Receive my mails and drop them off at UPS or USPS)
* Shop for Gifts
* Bill payment (pay my bills on my behalf)
* Sit for delivery (at your home) or pick items up at nearby post office at your

Convenience.

Let me know if you will be able to offer me any or all of these services.I will
love to meet up with you to talk about this job but I am currently away on
Vacation. I am in Norway studying a course on marine and oceanography I will
prepay you in advance to do my shopping. I will also have my Mails and packages
forwarded to your address. If you will be unable to stay at Your house to get my

mails, I can have it shipped to a post office near you and Then you can pick it
up at your convenience.

When you get my mails/packages, you are required to mail them to where I want
them mailed to. You don't have to use money out of your pocket. All you have to
do is have the package(s) shipped to wherever I want and do my shopping. You are

allowed to open the packages to reveal its content.

The content of the packages are Art Materials and Paintings,clothing's, business

and personal letters. All expenses and taxes
will be covered by me. You will work between 15 to 20hrs a month.

The pay is $500 weekly. That is not a bad offer is it? I need your service
because I am constantly out of town.I will be returning to USA in March 2014 so
this process will be going on till then.

If you don't mind, I will meet up with you when I return and then we can talk
about the possibility of making this long term.

Well, let me know if you are able to handle the position. I hope to hear from
you soon.

I will email you the list and pictures of what to shop for when I am ready. No
Heavy package is involved! You can do the shopping at any nearby store. You will

be shopping for Electronics and clothings.

I will provide you my personal UPS account number for Shipping. All you have to
do is provide my account number to UPS and shipping charges will be billed to
The account.

I will provide clear set of instructions for each task I need done as well the
Funds to cover them.

If I were to Pay you money to do my shopping plus upfront payment for your
services, where will you want it mailed to? How should your name appear on the
payment. Provide me with the following details listed below:

Full Name:
Full Address(No POBox):
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Age:
Occupation(If any):
Email address:

I would also need your cell phone number because that would be the best way to
get a hold of you and you can also send me text messages while I am away and I
would respond instantly.

I paid for roaming services so the phone is working here in Norway and its
always on, that's the best number to reach me on for now. Once you reply i will
provide you with my number so we can communicate.

Thank you!

Mike Anderson
mikeanderson2013@outlook.com


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