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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: "Rami Makhlouf" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ramiconsultant@qq.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 14:18:35 +0100
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANT NEEDED

Attention:
 
I am Rami Makhlouf of Syrian citizen, there are ongoing war going on in my country, Syria. My life and my two daughters life is in serious danger . I have a consignment which I have been registered with a United Nation diplomatic, Please I seek for your help to help me receive the fund to your country and help me on Investment. The sum of Sixty million($60m) is involved and it was well packaged in a consignment registered as United Nation refugee gift. It is registered as a diplomatic package.
 
My family have lost our International passport and we are searching means to travel out the rebel/opposition military has rendered us stranded and our houses and properties have damaged through the bomb. Please respond immediately to enable me give you the delivery details.
 
Best Regards
Rami Makhlouf
Contact me on my private email: ramiconsultant@yahoo.com.ph

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