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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: MAXWELL PANOLA <maxwell_panola@yahoo.co.nz>
Reply-To: mxll_panola@yahoo.co.nz
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:21:56 +0400
Subject: URGENT RESPONCE


Dear Sir,

Happy New Year to you and your family, I am so sorry to barging into
your private email address with out an adequate notification, it's just that I don't have any other alternative to reach you than through email. My name is Maxwell Panola, I am from Ivory Coast, I came to Dubai some days ago to seek for an old time businessman who will assist me invest my money in business that can yield profit for both of us, since I am not businessman.

So please, if you know that you can assist me with all your heart please give me your number so that I will call you as to enable us meet face to face and discuss the business.

I am counting on your maximum cooperation.

Regards,
Mr. Maxwell Panola.

Anti-fraud resources: