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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: Stephen Williams <hanahana_87310_happ@mail.goo.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Stephen Williams <majstephenwilliamsq@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2020 05:54:27 +0900
Subject: PURCHASE OF PROPERTY

Greetings,

I am a captain with the United Nations troop in Iraq, on war against terrorism.in Iraq Based on the United States legislative and executive decision for withdrawing troops from Iraq this year, I have been deployed to come and work in your country's military base soonest. Our mission is to help beef up terrorist targeted states, mostly the United States and the European Union on the war against terrorism. I will need a house for myself and that is why I contacted you.

On the other hand I want to inform you that I have in my possession the sum of 12.2 Million USD which I got from a crude oil deal here in Iraq. I want to invest this money in any lucrative business in your country

I can secretly move this fund out of Iraq to you, it depends on which area you are and where you can easily receive it in cash. This is a deal. But the question is can I trust you when the funds get to you? You will take your 20% for the assistance and keep the remaining for me in safe custody which i will invest with your help in your country.

Wait Your Reply

Best Regards
Maj. Stephen Williams

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