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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: Amos Friedman <amosfredman@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 19:54:21 +0100
Subject: Hello Dear.

Hello Dear,

I know you would be surprised to read from someone relatively unknown
to you before because we have met neither in person nor by
correspondence.But I believe it is only a day that people meet and
become great friends and business partners.

However, I wish to introduce myself, I am Engr. Amos Fredman. Managing
Director/CEO of an Airspace Management Agency in Africa.

I must say that I'm very uncomfortable sending this message to you
without knowing truly if you would misconstrue the importance and
decides to go public. I know that there is absolutely going to be a
great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this email,
coupled with the fact that, so many miscreants have taken possession
of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it
extremely difficult for genuine people to get attention. This is
neither a spam nor hoax.

I have a Business Proposal that I need to discuss with you to enable
us work it out together for our mutual benefit and investment in your
country. There is no risk involved. If you are willing to help me in
this investment proposal, kindly let me know so we can discuss more,
and maybe introduce a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect.

Please, kindly provide your private email address so I can give you
the details and areas of your participation. But if this is your
private email address, please, respond in affirmative, so I can go
ahead with the details to my proposal.It is extremely private.

Await your response.
Regards,
Engr. Amos Fredman.

Anti-fraud resources: