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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: "Sophia Nkosazana Van Staden" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <littleprincesssophia@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 13:53:51 +0100
Subject: I AM SEEKING FOR A RELIABLE PERSON TO HELP MANAGE MY INHERITED WEALTH

Good Day To You Sir / Ma,

I am Miss Sophia Nkosazana Van Staden a South African and daughter of late Engineer Nicholas Van Staden. I got your email in my search for business and company email addresses on the internet.I am heir to a huge amount of money running into millions, left me by my late dad, who was an investor and trader in gold and diamonds, may his gentle soul rest peacefully always in the bossom of the lord. I am presently seeking a reliable, trustworthy and serious minded person to manage my inherited fund on my behalf. I am interested in this fund being channeled into profitable business investments or in establishing a company that would become a global name some day. The country or state where the fund is invested is of little importance to me . My major concern is that the funds are making profit where ever they are invested. This i owe my loving father, therefore i need someone i can work together with on this and also not to affect my studies because i am presently under going a
4 year course in International Business BA (Hons) at the Regent University London through which i hope to develop an international and cross-cultural view of the business world,which will help me develop the skills and approach to lead people in a complex and changing environment.

Once we have a mutual understanding and agreement between us, you will have access to the fund in question and free to do or invest as you wish with it. You will however be required to keep me abreast of the progress continually of the "fund" in profit or loss.

If this offer meets your interest, do send me a reply at your earliest convenience, also include your full names and your telephone numbers with your address for more confidence before we proceed further.

Thanks and i will expect your quick response.

Yours ever,

Miss Sophia

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