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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: Sarah Fofona <sarahfofona32@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Sarah Fofona <sarah.fofona03@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2017 05:22:49 +0900 (JST)
Subject: From Sarah.


Dearest,



Thanks for your attention and I pray that my decision to  contact you will be
given genuine approval. My name is Miss Sarah Fofona and i humbly write
to solicit for your  partnership and assistance in the transfer and
investment of  my inheritance funds $6,500,000.00 from my late father
who  died mysteriously.


My late father was poisoned to death by my wicked uncle  during his visit
to south Africa where he has his cocoa and  coffee company. I am the
only child and daughter of my  parents and I lost my mother when I was
barely a year. After  the death of my mother, my father refused to
re-marry  another wife despite all persuasion by friends and  relatives, because he felt solely responsible for my  mother's death, as he only
concentrated on his business  affairs without paying attention to
domestic/family  affairs.


But he ensured that I had everything that I wanted. It was  as a result of
this that he made me the next of kin t o his  fund deposit of
$6,500,000.00 he deposited in a bank so that  I should have a direct
access to the funds if some thing  happens to him.


I am presently in a hiding in one of the local hotels here  in our
country because of my father's relatives. The bank  director assured me
that the funds will be released to me  once I have someone who would be
honest and willing to  receive the funds on my behalf, they shall
commence all  proceedings to effect the release and transfer of the
funds  into the person's designated account. Once you signify your 
interest to partner with me, I shall be giving you more  details such as my photo, address, telephone number,  documents relating to the
transaction and the bank contact  information before we can continue.


Your urgent response will be appreciated.

Best Regards
Sarah

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