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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. Larashan William" <nwankwo@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <larashan_williams@mail.ua>
Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2016 19:19:10 +0200
Subject: Good News To You At Last......

Dear Friend,

I'm Larashan William, a US Army Sgt. currently in Baghdad with the Combat Support Squad, US Base Camp, Speicher-Baghdad, Iraq. I am on my 2nd deployment to a combat war zone. I have an urgent business proposal that might interest you. It's 100% risk free.

The deal is relating to some cash extracts that the United States sent to Baghdad in 2006 for disbursement to Iraqi Ministries, Religious leaders, Top Government officials, Tribal leaders, Islamic Jihadist militants, etc as bribe by the US to anyone, groups that the US thought could be useful in the Iraqi transition program.

Well, I know you must have received similar emails in the past, but trust me, this is nothing of such. I shall intentionally left out certain information which i deemed proprietary at this point until you provide me with the followings as indication of your readiness to go on this with me: Your full names (no initial please); Your contact/mailing address and your telephone/fax numbers.

Once I confirm your information and endorse same appropriately, i shall obtain the required legal documents (Re-Ownership/Final Beneficiary Certificate) at the Iraqi High Court in your names and would also will give you guidelines on how we intend to realize this goal without the breach of the law.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any question(s). I thank you for your time and attention in anticipation of your response ASAP!.

Kind regards,

Sgt. Larashan William.

US Army Base Camp
Speicher - Baghdad, Iraq.

Anti-fraud resources: