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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: "Sgt.Mark Edwards" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sgtmarkedward221@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2016 01:25:55 -0700
Subject: I Sincerely Write To seek your Cooperation And Trust

From Sgt.Edwards
Dear Sir/Madam
 
My Name is Sgt.Mark Edwards.  I am an American soldier, serving in the US Military of the Army 1st Armored Division in Iraq. I have a very desperate need for your help.I am seeking your kind assistance to move the sum of US$5.5 million out of Iraq to you in United States or another country of your choice. It will be kept with you until I complete my service here in Iraq. I want you to invest it on my behalf until I come back from Iraq.
 
Source of Money:  Some large amount of money in various currencies were discovered in barrels at a farm house in one of Saddam Hussein's old palaces in Tikrit-Iraq during a rescue operation, and it was agreed by myself and staff sgt. Richard Buff that some part of this money be shared between us before informing my brigade commander in Iraq.I know this is not morally good thing to do, but I tell you what? No compensation can make up for the risk we have taken with our lives in this hell hole of a place, of which my brother inlaw (spc. Peter G. Enos) was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade at Bayji, Iraq on April 9th, 2004.
 
Please assist me to bring this money out of Iraq.  I will give you details when you reply.  If you have reasons to reject this offer, please destroy this message as any leakage of this information will be too bad for the US Soldiers here in Iraq.I shall give you more details when you reply. My only safe way of communication is by email.you are required to provide with the following information below:
 
Full legal name:
Full contact address:
Tell/Mobile no:
Copy of your Valid Identification:
Occupation and Position:
 
 
Please ensure to reply via my private e-mail address: sgtmarkedward221@gmail.com
 
 
Sincerely,
Sgt.Mark Edwards,
1AD 1BCT G3,
IRMO Operations,
US Army.

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