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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: "Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <philipsmithphilipsmith@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 06:10:05 -0700
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL


Dear Sir,

I write to you based on a request by an investor who needs to invest his funds in your country. My name is Philip Smith, I am a financial consultant based here in London United Kingdom.

I represent the interests of very wealthy personalities, who as a result of the political position they hold in their various societies and the unstable investment environment of their countries, move majority of their funds into more stable economies and developed nations where they can get good yield for their money.

A reserved Client, whom I had personally worked with few years ago with a proposal, recently approached me. What he requested is an individual such as you, who will be willing to receive monies on his behalf abroad, and put it to good use for a period not exceeding 8 to 10 years for a start.

The client has offered these terms:

1. 5% commission paid to me and my foreign partner for successful evacuating of the total funds. The fund in question is about $52.5 Million US Dollars or more, as the case maybe, which is presently available for release to you if you meet our terms.

2. The funds will be used by the foreign partner for eight years or more as investment loan without any interest. That is, you do not pay any interest on the money but you give the client 50% of all profits after tax that accrued from the use of the funds yearly.

If these terms are agreeable to you, kindly let me know by contacting me via my direct email as follows: (philipsmithphilipsmith@gmail.com) and I will provide you with all necessary information and procedures involved.

Sincerely yours,

Philip Smith

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