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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: "Mark Gyan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gyanmark12@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2015 17:06:00 -0500
Subject: Good to contact you!

Good day sir,
I hope this message finds you in good health.
My name is Mark Gyan, i and my mother inherited some money from My late father who was killed during the recent political crisis in my country.
The amount is the sum of $12.6 million (twelve million, six hundred thousand dollars) the fund is in a bank here in Abidjan.
It was stated that only the foreign partner to my late father will contact the bank for the release of the fund, this was my late father’s arrangement with the bank before he was killed, and that is why i am contacting you now.
My mother is very sick now and she is suffering from leukemia, her condition is worsening at the moment, i hope to bring her with me to your country as soon as the transfer is completed to your account.
We believe you are a honest person to help us in this matter, and we have agreed to offer you whole 30% of the total fund for your assistance to us, once the transaction is completed.
Reply as soon as possible and please keep this transaction confidential.
Thanks and best regards,
Mark Gyan.

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