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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: Hannah Alex <hannah.aalex1@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2023 02:30:33 +0000
Subject: HELLO

My name is Hannah Alex, I would like to ask if your services will be
my foreign partner / investor and help me transfer and manage my
funds by investing in profit-making businesses such as buying
companies, shares or property in your country. I have a reasonable sum
which I inherited from my late father which I want you to help me
invest in your country. I am attaching my personal photos, proof of
payment of the fund, my international passport, my late father's death
certificate and a four page will from my late father. I am sending you
all this so that you can have the confidence that you are dealing with
a real person.
Note: below are the main reasons I am contacting you.
(1) To provide a new empty bank account to which this money should be
transferred. If you do not want us to use your personal account.
(2) To serve as the guardian of this fund since the bank insisted that
their agreement with my father was that I acquire a foreign partner
before releasing the fund.
(3) To ensure that I come to your country to further my education and
to secure a residence permit in your country.
Please reply as soon as you read this message for more details and proof.
Sincerely,
Hannah Alex.

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