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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: salama <sal_muhammad77@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: salama_muhammad@yahoo.cn
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 17:18:09 +0800 (CST)
Subject: From:Salama Muhammad.



From:Salama  Muhammad.
55 Boulevard Roume | 04 BP 1885, Abidjan 17785
Cote D' Ivoire West Africa.
 
My Dearest One,
 
You may be surprise to receive my mail today ,How are you and your business,i hope all is well.I know that my message will come to you as a surprise since i don't know  you in person or meet with you before,please I have a problem which I needed a help from you,I have decided to write you for help. I have a  proposal for you-this,
 
however is not mandatory nor will I in any manner  compel you to honour against your will.I am in a state of delinma and  your profile pushed me to send you this mail, I am Salama  Muhammad  from  SIERRE-LEONE Country and the only son of my late parents Mr. and Mrs.Hassan  Muhammad.  My father was a highly reputable business magnet (a cocoa  merchant) who operated in the capital of Ivory coast during his days.
 
It  is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of  his business trips abroad on 12th.Febuary 2007.Though his sudden death  was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of  his who travelled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My  mother died when I was just 8 years old, and since then my father took  me so special.
 
Before the death of my father on 12/2/ 2007 he secretly called me on his  bed side and told me that he has the sum of US$ 15M (FiFteen million,United  State Dollars). left in fixed/suspense account in one of the prime banks  here in Abidjan that he used my name as his only son for the next of Kin in depositing of the fund.
 
I am just a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do. This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of  incessant political crisis here Abidjan in Ivory coast.
 
The death of my father  actually brought sorrow to my life.I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards.Your suggestions and ideas will be highly  regarded.
Now permit me to ask these few questions:-
 
1. Can you honestly help me as your son?
2. Can I completely trust you?
It will be good for you after the money is in your account?  Please, Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible.
 
Thank you so much, May God bless you and your family as you come my aid.
 
From Yours sincerely
Salama Muhammad



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