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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: Michael Smith <officemail.01@laposte.net>
Reply-To: <michael.2120@laposte.net>
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:35:44 +0200
Subject: Re: Waiting for your urgent respond..

Good Day
I know that as you read this email, it will come to you as surprise and a lot will go through your mind because we have not met or seen each other before but i want you to know that this email is for you as i have the  feeling that we are meant to do this together. Let me introduce myself, my name is Michael Smith and I want you to assist me received huge sum of (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) for Investment purpose in your country and am willing to offer you 40% of the total sum for your great support. You might also wonder how i got your contact, I got it through the internet when i was looking for a trust worthy person i can trust to handle this project. This offer is 100% genuine and risk free. kindly indicate your interest by given me your direct Cell Phone Number and any identification of yourself send to  michael.2120@laposte.net (Mike Smith).

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