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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: "Capt,Steven Polston" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stevenpolston@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2017 00:03:34 -0400
Subject: HELLO!

Hello ,
 
Permit the manner with which I am seeking your assistance but I am short of options and have no other choice. I am Capt. Steven Polston, from the Naval  Health Clinic New York USA where am admitted for treatment, I am an  army contractor attached to the NATO Military force in Afghanistan/Iraq for peace keeping and war against the Al-Qaeda/Taliban groups to humanitarian lives and properties. During my duty i discovered 2 truck boxes that contain US US$8.5Million.
 
Kindly view this news blog below for some info : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7444083.stm
 
I really need your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of two military trunk boxes which has arrived the United Kingdom from the Iraq. I believe  you can be trusted and handle it
 
I will explain further when I get a response from you.
 
Best Regards,
 
Capt Steven Polston. US ARMY
Tel: +1 (516) 986 4588

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