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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: "Brown Richard" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <browney120@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2014 15:09:54 -0400
Subject: In need of a Personal Assistant.

Hello,

My Name is Richard Brown, A United States citizen that resides in
Minneapolis MN. I am an art gallery owner, and at this time of the
year, its exceedingly a busy time for me, and I find myself constantly
travelling out of the Country for exhibitions, auctions, deliveries et
all as such that I sort the services of a Personal Assistant to handle
my
business errands. I got your contact info from the A Job directory.
I do not require that you resume to an office, leave your current
employment or evacuate your convenience. Wherever you reside
In the United States does not affect your application for this position.
I am looking for someone that can handle my business errands during his
or her spare time.
Here is a list of responsibilities that I would require you bear on my
behalf:
1: Receive payments made for my art works and process them on my behalf
2: Receive my mail and drop them off at the post office or shipping
center. All expenses and shipping charges will be covered by me.
3: Sit for delivery at home or pick up items at a post office near you
at your convenience.
When you get my mail or receive packages on my behalf you are free to
open them to check contents in order to guarantee your trust and
confidence
In me.
The contents of the mail and the packages are specifically art
materials and paintings as well as personal letters. No heavy packages
are involved.
If you decide to accept this position or you are able to offer me any
of the responsibilities I have listed above, Please provide me with the
following details
Full Name:
Full Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Phone No:
Cell No:
Age:
Work Status:
Email address:
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
A. Being honest and trustworthy.
B. Ability to work 15 to 20 hours a month
C Abili ty to check your EMAIL 3 to 5 times daily.
REMUNERATION:
$500 Weekly.
Please note that this job DOES NOT require any financial obligation of
any sort from you as I would be responsible for all expenses. I also
would have loved to meet you in person for now,but am out of the country to
Australia for the time being and wont be back until May 30th.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Richard Brown

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