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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: David Thoma <david.thoma9@live.fr>
Reply-To: dr_david_thoma09@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 05:52:33 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: My Dear,




My Dear,

Hope all is well with you and your family.
I am David Thoma I currently hold the post as the Audit Account Manager of our bank in Cote d'ivorie. Branch, Abidjan I got your contact from a reliable web directory. We can see actually that the world is a very small place to meet people but what matters most for me is to transact with a person with full trust. I have developed the trust on you after one week of fasting and praying. Due to the trust, I made up my mind to disclose this confidential business to you. We are in position to reclaim and inherit the sum of US$10, 000, 000.00 without any trouble, from a dormant account which remains unclaimed since 7 years the owner died. This is a U.S Dollar´s account and the beneficiary died without trace of his family to claim the fund. Upon my personal audit investigation into the details of the account,

I find out that the deceased is from Atlanta America, which makes it possible for you as a foreigner no matter your country to lay claim on the balance as the Foreign Business Partner or Extended Relative to the deceased. Your integrity and trustworthiness will make us succeed without any risk. Once this fund is transferred into your account, we will share the fund accordingly. 40%, for you, 40%, for me, 3%, had been mapped out for you for the expense you make in this transaction, 17% as a free will donation to charity and motherless babies homes in both our countries as sign of breakthrough and more blessings. If you are interested to help without disappointment or breach of trust,
Reply with your full details,
1. YOUR FULL NAME:................................................
2. YOUR CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER.........
3. YOUR AGE:................................................................
4. YOUR SEX:................................................................
5. YOUR OCCUPATIONS:...........................................
6. YOUR COUNTRY AND CITY:. ..............................
7. YOUR PHOTO OR LOCAL IDENTITY:...............
So that I will guide you on the proper banking guidelines to follow for the claim. After the transfer, I will fly to your country for sharing according to our agreement. Assurance: Note that this transaction will never in any way harm or foiled your good post or reputation in your country, because everything will follow legal process. I am looking forward to hear from you soonest.Yours faithfully,
Mr David Thoma.

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