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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: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: ottowelper@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 14:44:03 +0100
Subject: Re: Yours Attention Dearest


Re: Yours Attention Dearest,
My name is Otto Welper, a US citizen by origin. I'm a retired former oil f=
irm worker in Libya. I'm contacting you on behalf of a former adviser to la=
te Mutassim Gaddafi whom was a former National Security Advisor to the Liby=
an government that was caught and killed by anti-Gaddafi forces in Sirte Oc=
tober 20, 2011 during the Libyan revolution. This top aid whom doesn't want=
his name's in print for his safety due to that fact Libyan's situation loo=
ks very fragile towards late col Gadaffi loyalist in his country. More deta=
ils on assets frozen link below:
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/28/203859.html
This top aid, secure some top secret documents relating to the late Mutass=
im Gaddafi asset worth a total sum of US$17.3 million U.S. dollars in a Pri=
vate Holding Firm in Europe without stating his next of kin or a successor =
to his great assets. Your assistance as foreigner is necessary because the =
holding firm will welcome any foreigner who has correct information.
Therefore, I call on you to assist me to receive/claim this assets as my b=
oss has advised me that I should make sure this assets is secured and inves=
ted out Libya. Let me know if are interested to help us secure these assets=
in your country. My boss is offering you 30% from the total assets and 10%=
for your charity home. While 60% to be meaning fully invested either in yo=
ur existing business or anyone you deem profitable in this regard.
I am waiting for your confirmation that will enable me provide you with de=
tails of this assets claim by providing me with your full contact details: =
FULL NAME, CONTACT ADDRESS, COUNTRY, AGE, OCCUPATION & DIRECT PHONE NUMBER.
Thanks. I await your urgent response.
Best regards,
Otto Welper

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