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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: susan smith <mariko_sista@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: susan smith <susan_smithciv15@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 01:53:32 +0900 (JST)
Subject: I am Miss Susan Smith


Dearest,

Good a thing to
write you. I have a proposal for you-this however is not mandatory nor
will I in any manner compel you to honour against your will.

Your
profile pushed me to send you this mail, I am Miss Susan Smith 23years
old and the only Daugther of my late parents Mr.and Mrs.Kenzo Smith . My
father was a highly reputable busnness magnet-(a cocoa merchant)who
operated in the capital of Ivory coast during his days.

It is sad
to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his
business trips abroad year 12th.Febuary 2011.Though his sudden death was
linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his
who travelled with him at that time.But God knows the truth!

My
mother died when I was just 4years old,and since then my father took me
so special. Before his death on Febuary 12 2011 he called the secretary
who accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of
Ten million,seven hundred thousand United State Dollars.(USD$10.700,000)
left in one of the leading security company here in Abidjan Ivory coast
West Africa, with my name as next of kin for save keeping.

He
further told me that he deposited the money in my name, I am just 23
years old and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to
do.This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of
incessant political crisis here in Ivory coast.The death of my father
actually brought sorrow to my life.

Dear, I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards.Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded.

Now permit me to ask these few questions:-

1. Can you honestly help me as your Sister?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you after the money is in your account?

I am waiting for you urgent reply to give you more details.

Many thanks

Miss Susan Smith

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