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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: "Jr.George Owen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <georgeowena1@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2017 00:35:23 -0700
Subject: Compensation,

Dear Sir/Madam
 
I was Instructed by the presidency Commander-in-chief of the Nigerian
Armed Forces Federal Republic Of Nigeria and also United Nations (UN)
and (IMF)to transfer the sum of 8.5M usd only to you  through  ATM
Visa Card which you can be used in any cash point, shopping mall and
Bank.
 
Have you been scammed before? how much did you lost to the scammers
this is the  reason this committee is set up to pay you this
compensation in order to redeem the image  of the country to the
outside world. You can withdraw money from your ATM Visa Card in any
ATM TELLER MACHINE location or center of your choice/nearest to you,
in any part of the world.
 
You are advised to send  your office or home address,full name, Age,
Occupation, direct cellphone number to enable  Courier service
dispatch your ATM Visa Card to you within 48hrs.Reply to this Email:
mlssstdlr@gmail.com
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Mr. George Owen
Chairman Compensation
 

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