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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: "Michael James" (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 06:59:00 -0200
Subject: GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH OF US

My Dear Good Friend.

Compliment of the season, how are you and your family? Hope All is well. I am Mr Michael James, Staff of Airport Company of Ghana. I got your contact from one of the chambers of commerce, I have an abandon Fund/Consignments to claim in my company Which will be of benefit to both of us, these consignments came as an abandoned shipment of two metallic trunk boxes that was transferred from(UK) airport back to our airport facility here in Accra Ghana and when scanned it revealed an undisclosed funds, these shipment was abandoned due to the content was not properly declared by the shipping agent as mentioned above rather it was declared as antiquity to avoid taxes and diversion.

These boxes still left unclaimed till date, I would like to transact this business and share the profit with you since the shipper cannot be found, on my assumption, each box amounted Amount: $6,950,000. I want you to be an inheritor of the Boxes, with your contact information and my Documentation certifies you as the inheritor/beneficiary Since I am an insider and working in the same company, the release and delivery will be processed legally and successfully and I will Be coming down to your country for disbursement.

I want you to Claim the boxes for further delivery out of the country to your doorstep, This is very great opportunity as it will take a maximum of 7 Working days to be concluded. I as an insider will do my duties perfectly well concerning this transaction for security reasons. This is confidential for successful conclusion and hitch-free transaction. Contact me immediately for further details and mutual Relationship and we will decide together on how to disburse The funds and percentage as well.

I will be waiting to hear from you.

Yours truly.
Mr. Michael James

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