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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: Edward Gilly <edwardgilly6@gmail.com>
Reply-To: waxdnxe@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 14:05:29 +0100
Subject: YOUR URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED

--
Dear Friend

I hope this letter meets you in good health. I know it will take you
by surprise to receive this information because emails like this flies
over the internet telling people about funds.

My name is Mr Edward Gilly. I am in control of US$15,000,000.00 (
Fifteen Million United State Of America Dollars) deposited in my bank
by my late Client. The fund is being held under a Non-investment
account without my late Client family's name, My Client instructed
that this funds should be be kept TOP SECRET until he decides what to
do with it.

As my late Client Account Officer and manager of this branch of
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK Ghana LTD, I plan to activate the account with
your name as the original depositor and then process outward
remittance of the funds to you. You will get 30% of the total funds
for your role plus investment of my portion under a documented working
agreement.

Please get back to me with your response and we will move quickly to
consummate the deal.

Regards
Mr Edward Gilly.

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