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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: "Mr. Edwin Freeman" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <edwinfreeman22@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2016 05:25:08 -1000
Subject: Re:Business Collaboration

Dear Sir,
I would like you to co-operate with me so that this US$35m will be released and transferred into your account.
My name is David Watson, consultant to a company that awards contract in the republic of South Africa, it is my intention to contact you for this very important and highly confidential transaction for the transfer of (US$35, million dollars), which was overestimated balance from the contracts awarded to foreign contractors, the real contract value was $120 million dollars, but it was over estimated to the sum of ($155,000,000.00) one hundred fifty five million united state dollars only.
The contract has been successfully executed by the contractors and their contract sum of (US$120m) has been paid to them leaving our overestimated balance of $35 million, pending in the bank, right now we are left with overestimated balance of (US$35m) which is still floating at the escrow account in South Africa reserve bank, awaiting final payment to any reliable foreign bank account you may provide.
I am looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Edwin Freeman.


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