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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: "William Mason" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <masw060@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2018 14:15:46 +0300
Subject: Investment

Hello Dearest,

I am William Mason, from swaziland Africa but i am presently in Europe right now on a negotiation with security company in order to get my money moved from here to another country for investment purposes. Please i want you to help me establish and invest this money in any business of your choice while i will continue my education as soon as i relocate to your country.

I inherited US$8, 500,000 US dollars ( Eight million Five Hundred United State Dollars) from my late father which i am trying to move to another country from here. The security company where the money are deposited here are ready to use any possible means to move the money to another country as soon as i present a guardian and partner from the country i want them to move the money to. I want you to stand as my guardian and partner then help me receive the money in your country on my behalf before my arrival to your country.
Meanwhile, i will offer you 15% as a reward for your assistance while 85% will be for investment purposes in your country. Kindly get back to me for details.

Thanks,

William Mason

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