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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: Sofia Williams <swilliamsjj@cantv.net>
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2014 19:31:50 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: From Miss Sofia Williams..




>From Miss Sofia Williams..
Reply: sofia_williamsj@yahoo.com
Tel: +22547272001

Greetings, how are you today?Hope you are fine.

With warm heart I offer my friendship, I hope this mail finds you well.

However strange or surprising this contact might seem to you, as we have not
meet personally or have any dealings in the past. I humbly ask you to take due
consideration of its importance and immense benefit to assist me.

My name is Miss Sofia. William, from Sierra Leone,I inherited the the sum of
($US3,500,000.00) (Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollar)
I need your assistance to transfer this fund and to invest it in your country
as i wish to relocate to your country for a new life and for the continuation
of my study.

Please I'm eagerly waiting for your response if you are willing to help me.

Thanks and God bless you.

My sincere regards to you,
Miss Sofia.
Reply: sofia_williamsj@yahoo.com
Tel: +22547272001

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