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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 Edward Edison" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <edwardedison75@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2016 03:13:03 +0800
Subject: Proposal of a life time opportunity

Hello Dear! 
 
 
 
I am delighted to let you into this proposal of a life time opportunity; it encouraged me to divulge my proposal to you. But be rest guaranteed as it approach with most excellent of intentions. Hence I determined to intimate you personally and inconspicuously through this business proposal of mutual benefit after due consideration, I became aware and assured of your credibility of handling this trust and my future as it will be beneficial to both of us involved.
 
 
My dear, I contacted based on the situation, with the intention of your class, and deferential look in my search for a trustworthy person to assist me in achieving this aim. I anticipate you won't let me down at any rate, meaningful that this is the first time I am doing this kind of business as well doing it with a gentle one. As a matter of fact I would like us to join ourselves mutually, I wish for us to unity in this contract .Furthermore we are suppose to be transparent and sincere to each other.
 
 
 
Nevertheless, I am Mr Edward Edison; I work with (HSBC) bank London branch, in packaging and courier department. I wish that you assist in receiving this package that is in one of the courier company in oversea, of which I have secured a diplomat who promised to assist me deliver, it to whomever I appoint as a partner to his position. The package involves the sum of $10,500,000,00 USD all in $100.00 bills.
 
 
 
These are the needed requirements I require from you: Name in full/ Address, Occupation and your position/Phone office and mobile, Age/Status, State/Country. I hope that at the end of the day you will have 30% while 70% will be for me which shall be invested together with you in a combined investment; additional modalities will be discussed as almost immediately as you get back to me.
 
 
 
I will highly be appreciated in receiving a positive response from you, so that we can discuss on how to get the consignment of fund delivered to your address.
 
 
Thanks
Mr Edward Edison

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