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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: Mariam Zidan <alicwetea@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Mariam Zidan <alewetarm@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2014 01:56:23 +0900 (JST)
Subject: From Miss Mariam Zidan.

Hello Dear,

My name is Miss Mariam Zidan. I am only daughter of Mr. Abdullah Zidan, My father was Gold and Diamond Merchant based in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire, my father was poisoned to death by his business associates while my mother died when I am little and my father took me so special because I am the only child. Before the death of my father in a hospital here in Cote d’Ivoire, he secretly called me and told me that he deposited some Gold and a huge sum of ($7 million USD) in security company here. He also made me understand that it was because of this wealth he was poisoned while on a business trip with them and he instructed me to look for a foreign partner who will help me retrieve this fund out from the company without the knowledge of anybody here. I was dropped out of school because of financial difficulties. i was in contact with the security company they confirmed the consignment box for me and promised to transfer the inheritance consignment in any
country of my choice. My purpose of contacting you is for you to help me, as my late father advice me before he died.

1)To retrieve my consignment box from the security company to your location
2)To make arrangement for me to come to your country to continue my education
3)To utilize this money by investing it in good business.

I am now under hidings to safe my life from any accidental harm that might befall me from them. Please tell me if you will be of assistance to me after your good considerations, I am willing to reward you with 30% of total fund for your good assistance. I will be glad if you will get back to me soon to tell me of your interest so that i will give you the contact information of the Vega security company for you to contact them on my behalf. I will be introducing you to them. I am kindly waiting for your soonest response.
Best Regards,
Miss. Mariam Zidan.

Anti-fraud resources: