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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: mkrty mkrty <mktrrymor@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2015 06:01:28 -0800
Subject: Please treat as priority

Compliments,

I apply through this medium for your co-operation and to use this
opportunity as a spring board to invest, and do joint business with you in
your country.

I am Mr MKA Umocha, a former funds disbursement Director in the presidency
of my Country. I believed you must have heard in the world news about the
recent change of Government in my Country, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast),
and because of the political vendetta which is going on now, most of us
that severed in the former Government decided to relocate to another
Country, based on this i needed a trusted company, or person whom i can
entrust with the sum of USD 8 million, my interest is in investments with
potentials for rapid growth in long terms. I am interested in placing the
funds in you, or your company, if your Country's by laws allows for foreign
investment.
please treat as priority and give me a feed back.
Sincerely,

Mr M.K.A. Umocha

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