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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: SGT MARK <offices14@att.net>
Reply-To: sgtmarkben2010@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:07:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Dear Friend,


Dear Friend,
 
Greetings, I really wish to have you as my good friend and also wishes to
entrust some funds into your care but i have already send the fund out of
Iraq. I need your sincere and truthful friendship. My name is Sgt. Mark
Shaw. I am serving in United States of America  Victory Camp near Baghdad .
 
I have $6.5 Million US dollars that i successfully moved out of  the 
country.  I need a good partner someone i can trust. It is oil business money we
did with Iraqi citizens worth of 42 million US dollars, but the 6.5 million
us dollars stated is my share on the business and its legal. I have
successfully moved the funds out of Iraq as a family valuables with help of
Universal Financial Diplomatic Company through their branch in Middle East.
 
The most important thing is ''' Can I Trust You? Once the funds get to you,
you take your 30% out and keep my own 70%. Your own part of this deal is to
find a safe place where my part of the  funds will be until i come and meet
with you for discussions on investment plans, but i have more interest on
real estate or any other profitable investment . If you are interested I
will furnish you with more details.
 
But the whole process is simple and we must keep a low profile at all
times.
I look forward to your reply and co-operation, and I thank you in advance
as I anticipate your co-operation waiting for your urgent response to my
email (sgtmarkben2010@yahoo.com.hk)
 
My Regards,

Sgt. Mark

Anti-fraud resources: