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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: "Desmond Lawrence" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <secretarytomsmith@e-mail.ua>
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2013 19:45:18 +0100
Subject: Your Compensation Fund

Dear

I am happy to inform you about my great success in transferring the fund (USD25.520.862.85) with the help of my new partner in Paraguay. I am very sorry it didn't work out for us, not my fault you know. Presently, I am in Hong Kong for investment project with my own share of the fund.

Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past efforts and honest attempts to assist me in transferring this fund, though we could not transfer this fund due to the frustration and blackmail during that time. For the assistance you gave me during this period my good friend, I want to compensate you with the sum of (USD 2.500.000.00} for strongly standing by me and all the money you spent during this days.

I am fully aware that the fund I am sending you as compensation for your past effort is small, but please, kindly take it like that. As soon as I am through with my investment project I will get in touch with you.

Please contact my secretary TOM SMITH in his personal Email: secretarymrtomsmith@e-mail.ua or phone number + 234 7068344523 now for further information regarding the compensation fund for directives and payment into your account. I have paid the money into (Union bank plc) My secretary will tell you how the fund will be paid to you and how to contact this bank.


Secondly, do let me know immediately you receive the compensation fund on my same email address as you have it for sharing of joy after a long time. At the moment, I am very busy with my partner/ business counterpart in the area of investment in Hong Kong. In two weeks , I think we may be free of it all. Thank God that everything is working accordingly at the moment.

Finally,remember that I have forwarded instructions to my secretary on your behalf to send the fund to you. So feel free and get in touch with him.
Best Regards

Desmond Lawrence

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