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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: williams Catim <williamscatim3d@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2016 20:01:54 +0000
Subject: Dear One,


Dear One,
Good day and God bless, I am Williams Catim from Sierra Leone. i am writing you from Rep of Cote 'Ivoire where i have been taking refuge after the brutal war and murder of my parents by the rebels during the renewed fighting in our country. Because of the war my late Father sold his shipping company and took me to a nearby country Cote d'Ivoire where he deposited (US18, 500, 000.00 Million in one of the bank.) here in Cote d'Ivoire the current political situation in Ivory Coast i am seeking for your assistance to transfer this fund to your country if you will not betray me when the money gets into your country for investment?so i can also relocate to your country to further my study and i am willing to offer you 15% of the total sum for your help.
Best Regards
Williams Catim



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