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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Sofia Williams <sofia.williams58@gmail.com>
Reply-To: sofia.williams78@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2015 12:58:48 +0000
Subject: From Miss Sofia Williams..

>From Miss Sofia Williams..
Reply: sofia.williams78@gmail.com
Tel: +22558356928

With warm heart I offer my friendship, I am writing this mail with due
respect, trust and humility, I appeal to you to exercise a little
patience and read through my letter because I feel quite safe with
you.

However strange or surprising this contact might seem to you, as we
have not meet before,or had any dealings in the past. I am Miss Sofia
Williams 24 years old, a female from the Republic of Sierra-Leone,
West Africa, I am the Daughter of Late Mr.Johnson Kuame Williams, My
late Father was a well-known liability Cocoa and Gold merchant in
Sierra-Leone before his untimely death.

My father deposited the sum of US$7.8 Million in a Bank here in Cote
d'Ivoire, I'm seeking for your help in order to transfer the money
into your bank account so that you will help and me invest the money
in a good profitable business venture over there in your country, as
it is my wish to immigrate to your country for the continuation of my
education.

I'm constrained to contact you because of the maltreatment which I am
receiving from my step mother, since the unexpected death of my
father, my step mother and my uncle conspired against me and
forcefully, they took possession of all my late father's
properties,leaving nothing for me. My mother died long ago during
child birth ,I was left alone with my step mother to take care of
me,she never did that, but she turn against me with my wicked uncle,
but the judgement of God will fall upon them at due time. I hold my
peace and left Sierra Leone for Cote d'Ivoire, and right now I'm
currently in a Refugee Mission Camp here in Cote d'Ivoire,I need your
urgent assistance to come out of here and move to your country for a
new life.

I have contacted the bank where the money is and got vital information
which will enable us transfer the money to your country legally.

Kindly please indicate your interest if you wish to assist me me, so
that I will give you the account details and the contact information
of the bank where the money is, so that you will contact them for the
transfer.

I am willing to offer you 20% out of the total US$7.8 Million for your
assistance while you help me to invest the rest 80% of the fund in a
good business venture which you will recommend ,as it is my wish to
invest the money under your guidance and protection and continue my
study.

Thanks and God bless you in anticipation of your positive response.

Yours sincerely
Miss Sofia Williams.
Reply: sofia.williams78@gmail.com
Tel: +22558356928

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