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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: "JEAN LAWSON (ESQ)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <j1lawsontg@aim.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:44:13 +0100
Subject: GET BACK TO ME IF INTERESTED

Dear Friend,

I am Bridget Eyadema wife to the Ex-president of the federal republic of Togo (Mr. Gnassingbe Eyadema Ettienne) as it was heard over the cable networks that he died untimely as a result of illness, he passed away on seat in his 38 years of ruler ship.

Due to the sudden death of my husband, I have been thrown into a state of hopelessness by my late husband's family members who have taken hold of everything I inherited from my late husband. I have lost confidence with anybody within my country, except my family Attorney who has been there for us during this crisis.

My husband deposited US$7.5M with a security firm abroad whose name is withheld for now till we communicate. I will be happy if you can receive this funds for investment on our behalf. I assure you 30% of this fund as compensation for all your efforts.

If this proposal interests you, please forward your reply including your telephone and fax to my family Attorney's Mr. Jean Lawson on his email address (j1lawsontg@aim.com) for more clarification about it all

Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Bridget Eyadema
Reply to: j1lawsontg@aim.com

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