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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: Ms Dok <dannila963@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Ms Dok <dannila3784@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2015 18:02:51 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Re: Hope to read from you soon


Hello Dear! It is my pleasure to communicate with you for the first time..  Well, I believe that it will lead to a better relationship between us. My name is Ms Dannila Dok I am 33 years old, from the Ethiopia, 5.8 tall. My late husband, Dr Kenneth Marwan Dok was into Gold and Diamond business roles with the Merrex Gold Inc before the rebels attacked our house one early morning and killed my husband. and also operate with other private companies which my late husband's family claimed and sold some after his death.
we married over few years without child. I purposely travelled to Burkina Faso because when my late husband was alive, he deposited in my name as next of kin, sum of five million seven hundred thousand dollars ($5.7 million) in a bank in the republic of Burkina Faso. On my arrival here in Burkina, and knowing no body, I decided to find my way and collaborate with the UN residence for a short time until i will conclude my mission at the bank. 
I contacted you due to the urgency of my situation here, regarding instruction i heard in the bank; a banker who was a good friend with my late husband, he directed me that i should look for a foreign trustee who will stand as a proxy to make the claim. as stranger and having no relative here in Burkina Faso, i decided to seek for your cooperation in helping me out because i want to invest the money internationally. I want to transfer the money to your country, and when the transfer is concluded, you will have to send for the money i need to get a visa and airline ticket here and come to your country.
I am a simple woman by nature I don’t like people telling lies or negative people and I don’t like where there is problem in my life. I was born and brought up in decent family. I would like to know more about you, your country, your likes and dislikes, your hobbies and what you are doing presently. In my next mail, i will tell you more about me, along with my picture. I wait fro your earlier response.
Yours,Ms Dok

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