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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: "James Lancellotti." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <james.lancellotti@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 05:43:54 +0100
Subject: Can we work together.

Hello Friend,
 
I request your understanding to acknowledge this proposal. My name is Sgt. James Lancellotti, I am a war veteran with the United Nations troop in Afghanistan on war against terrorism. I served in the 1st Armoured Division in Kabul. Based on the United States legislative and executive decision for withdrawing troops from Iraq,i have been redeployed to come and work in Kabul on the platform of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Our mission is to help beef up terrorist targeted states, mostly the United States and the European Union on the war against terrorism.
 
On the other hand, I want to inform you that I and my partner (Trooper James Anthony Leverett) have the sum of 47.8million  USD, which we got from a crude oil deal in Iraq before he was killed by an explosion while on a vehicle patrol.Due to this  incident,I want you to receive these funds on my behalf as far as I can be assured that my share will be safe in your care  until I complete my service here(in Afghanistan) and come over to meet with you.Since we are working here on an Official  capacity, I cannot allow this funds to remain in the custody of the International red cross agent regional office in New  York,that was why am contacting you, so that we can convince him to move it down to your doorstep.
 
I guarantee and assure you that this is a  risk free deal.I want you to know that we have successfully moved these funds out  from Iraq with the help of a Red Cross agent.The 47.8million dollars is packaged in 4 trunks boxes, registered as family  treasure kept in Red Cross aid office Lodged in New York, I just need your acceptance to receive these funds on my behalf,  Since the death of my partner, my life is not guaranteed here anymore, so I have decided to share these funds with a  reliable and trusted person.
 
I want you to tell me how much you will take from this money for the assistance you will give to me. One passionate appeal I  will make to you is not to discuss this matter with anybody, should you have reasons to reject this offer, please and please  destroy this message as any leakage of this information will be too bad for us as soldiers here in Afghanistan.I do not know  how long we will remain here, and I have been shot, wounded and survived so many suicide bomb attacks thankfully, this and  other reasons I will mention later have prompted me to reach out for help, I honestly want this matter to be resolved  immediately, please contact me as soon as possible on my e-mail address which is my only way of communication for now.
 
Regards,
 
Sgt. James Lancellotti.
Email: james.lancellotti@yahoo.com

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