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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: Mrs Helen Mckenzie <mrshelenmckenzie1414@outlook.fr>
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2016 10:26:00 +0000
Subject: Greetings dear!


Greetings dear!

Please, may you receive this letter with peace of mind and with due respect as it may be very strange to you since we have not communicated or know each other before.

My Name is Ms Helen Mckenzie, 19 years old single girl, the only child and daughter of late Mr & Mrs Edward Mckenzie. My father was a highly reputable business man who deals in (Diamond Exportation) in West Africa. He died of food poison after returning from one of his business trip from abroad on the 15th of June 2013.

I am looking for your cooperation in building a Tourist Hotel or Real Estate or to invest into any other business you can advise me in Your country. I am sorry if this is not in line with your business. I need your assistance to help me set up, develop the project with $4.7M, which I inherited from my late father. On the resumption of the project, you will be made a Director for the role and the assistance you rendered.

I am willing to offer you percentage upon your acceptance to assist me for financing the transfer. I will be very happy to receive your acceptance reply to help me to accomplish my plan to come to your country for future investments of my inheritance fund.

Remain blessed!
Ms Helen Mckenzie.


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