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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: "ENGR WILLIAMS MONICA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <aattthomas@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 23 May 2014 22:07:36 +0700
Subject: COMPENSATION FOR YOUR PAST EFFORT !!

GREETINGS!!!
 
I am happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from New Zealand.
 
Presently I am in New Zealand for the new investment projects with my own share . meanwhile,I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed.
 
Now contact my secretary in Thailand for your own share of the compensation, Ask him to send you the total sum of USD $ 750,000.00 which I kept for your compensation for all the past efforts and attempts you made to assist me.
 
Contact Secretary : Mr. Aat Thomas
Email Address: aattthomas@gmail.com
Reconfirm the below information to my secretary :
1. Full Names:
2. Residential Address:
3. Phone Number:
4. Identification:
5. Occupation:
6. Country:
 
For your information, I have paid for the delivery Charge, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the Compensation Cheque showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorism attack in your Country.The only money you will be sending is US$104 only for the ( Security Keeping Fee ) of the Courier Company that will delivery your Compensation Cheque to your door step.Again, don't be deceived by anybody to pay any other money except US$104.
 
I would have paid that but he refused, because he don't know when you will contact him and in case of demurrage You have to contact Mr. Aat Thomas now for the delivery of your Compensation Cheque worth sum of USD $ 750,000.00 .
 
I appreciate all your efforts at that time. Please feel free and get in touch with my secretary Mr. Aat Thomas and instruct him where to send the sum of USD $ 750,000.00 to you.
 
With best regards.
Engr. Williams Monica

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