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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Miss Monica Smith" <missmonicas10@gmail.com>
Reply-To: miss.monicasmith221@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2017 09:33:18 +0100
Subject: Hi

Hi

I am the only Daughter of my late parents Mr and Mrs Nelson Smith. My
father was a highly reputable business magnet who operated in the capital
of Ivory coast during
his days. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France
during one of his business trips abroad on the 12th September 2003. Though
his sudden death was
linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his
who traveled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother
died when I was just
6yrs old, and since then my father took me so special. Before his death on
September 2003, he called me and informed me that he has the sum of Five
Million, Seven
Hundred thousand United State Dollars.(USD$5,700,000.00)left in fixed
deposit account in one of the leading banks in Africa.

He further told me that he deposited the money in my name, and also gave
me all the necessary but legal documents to this fund with the bank. I am
just 21 years old
and a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. Now I
want an account overseas where I can transfer this funds and after the
transaction I will come
and reside permanently in your country till such a time that it will be
convenience for me to return back home if I so desire. This is because I
have suffered a lot
of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in Ivory
coast. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I also
want to invest the fund
under your care because I am ignorant of business world.

I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards. Your
suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask these
few questions:

1. Can you honestly help me from your heart?
2. Can I completely trust you?
3. What percentage of the total amount in question will be good for you
after the money is in your account?

Please, consider this and get back to me as soon as possible. Immediately
I confirm your willingness, I will send to you my Picture and also inform
you more details
involved in this matter.

Kind Regards,
Miss Monica Smith

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