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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: "Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stephtown2020@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2017 00:29:39 -0800
Subject: Hello There! x

Hello There!
It was not in any way my intentions to intrude into your privacy. I am left with no option but to reach out to you and solicit your friendship as well as your assistance.
My name is Stephen Townsend (Lieutenant General, U.S Army). I have been in all activities involving the U.S military in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.. Presently I'm in Aleppo Syria on an Inspection Mission.
My mission in the Middle East will be completed at the end of January 2018.. I'm looking forward to my resignation from the Military (Better call it retirement). It has been a great experience offering my services to my country and to human race.  Being the only child of my late parents made life even tougher as I had no one to offer me support of any kind, but that never discouraged me from giving my best and making sacrifices for the betterment of our world. Recently I took time out of my busy schedule to reflect on my life; the past, the present and the future, family etc, and I realized it is time to draw the curtains on my career.
Two years ago, the Secretary General of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) was here in Syria on a Multi-million Dollar Oil Business trip. While he was here, I provided security services to him and his business associates. I was paid US$3,000,000 (Three Million U.S Dollars) for my services to them throughout the business proceedings.
The current chaos in Syria has made it impossible to remit this fund to my U.S account. All Syrian Banks are shut down indefinitely, and I do not have any sibling to receive the fund on my behalf. I am among 8 Top military Officers deployed to Iraq on an Inspection mission (To observe the military operations in Mosul City). Our departure is imminent, hence I solicit your assistance to receive the US$3Million on my behalf and keep it safe.
There is no trace of irregularities or Illegalities as regards the fund. As a Military Personnel, I represent the law and would not engage myself in an illegal Transaction.
Syrian banks have been shut down indefinitely, especially from International Transactions. As a matter of fact, I have made a concrete arrangement for a UN Diplomatic Service Agency to deliver this fund to you without hitches.
I'm offering you 30% of the total fund for your assistance to receive and save the fund.
Like i said, the delivery legal and will be documented, and that guarantees risk-free transaction.  There's no risk whatsoever.
So, please confirm your willingness to assist me, then I will furnish you with more details and we will expedite the delivery process. I hope this transaction will open doors for you and me as not only business partners but good friends as well.
Please understand that this is highly confidential. I would appreciate that you treat this message or proposal with utmost confidentiality.
Anticipating your swift response.
Thank you!
Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend.
Tel: +19176249949
stephtown2020@gmail.com

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