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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: "Jim Martin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <omniattorneys@counsellor.com>
Date: Wed, 11 May 2016 04:34:24 -0700
Subject: From Jim Martin

Warm greetings to you,
 
I am the attorney that manages the assets of the deposed Ivorian
leader, who is held in the Hague for war crimes. I have decided to
quit being his attorney, hence he may not return from that legal
battle.  As his assets and estate manager, i made $18.6million while
representing him as his personal attorney. This fund is legitimate and
not a criminal proceeds, as you know my profession will not accept any
criminally sourced fund. I want you to freely from your heart and with
trust, assist me to repatriate these funds to your country, through
your bank account, for investment in anything good for steady income
profit. I will relocate with my family to base in your country after
the funds has been moved. Please, i will offer you 15% of this fund,
or its investment value, for your kind heart towards my plight.
There is a lot of scam going on these days on the internet, but i did
not get afraid, since i hold your country citizens in high esteem for
good reputation and honesty in partnership dealings. I am not afraid
that you may varnish with my funds, because i know your people as
people of good conduct and hardworking all over the world.
 
Please, nobody else should get involved into this transaction, except
the both of us, because i wouldn't like to share extra percentage to
any other person, and also it is very important we keep the
transaction between us for security reasons.
 
If you will accept me as your family friend and part of your family,
do not hesitate to respond to me, so that we can get started with the
repatriating of the funds. I will also like you to tell me little more
about yourself and the type of investment you would introduce for me
to go into when i arrive your country and the living conditions there.
Meanwhile, i am married with 2 kids, a boy and a girl, 17 the girl and
the boy 12. You will also take good care of us until we're able to
know more and get use to the town and country before we can start to
care for ourselves. Please, feel free to ask me any question regarding
to my proposal and i will be very glad to respond in clear terms.
Thanking you for your kind attention and understanding
Sincerely,
 
Jim Martin

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