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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: "Smith Douglas" <smithdouglas03@qq.com>
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2014 16:28:43 -0700
Subject: Attn: OK

Attn: Sir/Ma,

This message might meet you in utmost surprise, however,
it's just my urgent need for a foreign partner that made me
to contact you for this transaction.A class mate of mine
from your country gave me clues about you/organization.

I am a board member and accountant by profession from
Nigeria and-currently holding the post of Director Auditing
and Accounting unit.

I have the opportunity of transferring the left over funds
($10.5 million)from an over-invoiced contract that was
awarded by the petroleum ministry through the Nigerian
National Petroleum corporation(NNPC) .

Can you help me receive this fund in any of your private or
corporate accounts?, If yes, then contact me fast, for every
logistics to make this happen swiftly has been put in place.
40% of the entire funds shall be yours for your activity.

This amount is already in a coded account in a Bank.
Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as
soon as I receive your return mail.

Yours Faithfully

BEST REGARDS
SMITH DOUGLAS.

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