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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: Helen Show <helenshow121@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Helen Show <helenshow2220@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2017 07:34:37 +0900 (JST)
Subject: From Miss. Helen Show,


From Miss. Helen Show,
Abidjan,Ivory Coast,
 
 
In confidence, I
have to introduce myself to you. I am Miss. Helen Show, 21 years old, I am the only daughter of late Mr & Mrs. Yve Show. I prayed before contacting you, please for God sake do not see my mail as an embarrassment as we do not know each other before.
 
I wish to
request for your assistance in my efforts to receive the transfer of my inherited money for investment ventures under your care
and directive, while i will continue my education there in your country. I inherited Four Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,300,000.00) here in my name with one of the prime bank in my country here and i will
require your assistance in receiving the transfer of my inherited money in your local account for an investment purposes, as it is my wish to come over to
your country to further my education while you take care of the investment of the money.
 
Please i am an orphan and i need your assistance to transfer my inherited money to your country and also your assistance to secure a nice school for me in your country where i will continue my education.
 
Thanks so much.

I am waiting to hear from you.

Yours sincerely.

Helen Show

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