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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: "Rtd. Col. Androsov Igor" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <androsovigor@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2016 22:29:46 +0200
Subject: RE: PLEASE CLARIFY

Hello Dear,
Compliments of the day,

Nice to meet you,my name is Col. Androsov Igor.I'm a retired Russian army officer residing in London England.I have sent this same letter to you previously, but I'm not certain that the letter successfully got to you.Since I have not heard from you in response to my letter, hence I am re-sending it to you again.I have an investment fund that I may wish to relocate and engage in an economic investment in your country. The investment funds is a reasonable amount and it will be of my interest to re-profile this sum to any lucrative and profitable sector that is capable of generating 10% or more on annual returns on investments.I'm seeking to partner with someone who is trustworthy,reliable and capable for a joint business partnership.
If you are willing to partner with me and to be part of the transfer activities of this Investment funds with an idea of a profit making business, you should please write back to me so we can discuss about this in full details.

Looking forward having your say on my humble request.

Regards,
Rtd. Col. Androsov Igor

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