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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: "Maryam Salwan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <maryamsalwan@aim.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 15:49:43 +0100
Subject: Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi wabarakatuh
 
My name is Mrs. Maryam Salwan from Al-Hasakah in Syria and also a reputable woman in Syrian government who deny the evil of Bashar AL-Assad's government. The Syrian leader whom had bent Syrian people to be under his regime when average people survive with $2 per day. The government is led by President Bashar AL-Assad, who's been in office since 2000. He took over from his father, Hafez AL-Assad, who ruled from 1971 until his death.
 
The Syrian Arab Republic's major exports in oil, cotton, clothing, meat, wheat, fruits and vegetables in the entire surface of this earth but the citizens live in poorest condition according to international standard. Please I need your urgent help as Bashar Al-Assad's has continued to torment entire population and kill those who were in his administration that denounce continuity.
 
I write this to see if you could help me to keep this money with you for my Kids as most of our houses and asset is taken by Bashar AL-Assad's loyalist, with unending torture and later killings. I am not sure if I can escape but in case anything happens to me I would like you to help me keep $10.5million which is right here as I write for my Kids since I might not survive this situation aftermath.
 
My kids names are Fadilah, Azim, Asadel. But my husband Mr. Mohammed Mhd Babu Salwan was killed when he announced his resignation. What you are to do is take 30% of this money for your effort and kind gesture and keep the rest for my Kids in case I couldn't escape which you will have to invest the remaining 70% in your county with my children's names respectively. If you accept to help me please provide information on where this money were to be send and how you can pick up.
 
All Arrangement and process to transfer the money is ready. I know this is unconstitutional asking this favor from you but been a human being consider Syrian people on this scenario. This is worst tragedy and inhuman treatment and infringement in peoples life and freedom. If you do consider helping me email me back because I can't answer a phone call at this juncture as all calls is monitored by the tyrant. I will anticipate and appreciate your immediate acceptance to help me.
 
I will update you on how to get the money out from here; In the next email I will send you my home address in case if I couldn't survive this situation. Reply to me at my private email address maryamsalwan@aim.com if you willingly to help me, hope to hear from you soon.
 
Regards
Mrs. Maryam Salwan

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