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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: "Hafez Al-khani" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hafez147@qq.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2014 05:46:06 -0200
Subject: URGENT MESSAGE

Dear Beloved Friend.
 
With a very desperate need for assistance, I have summed up courage to contact you ,Firstly, I must solicit your confidence in this transaction; this is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and top secret.
 
I am a Syria industrialist and a member of Syria business men council in Al-Hasakah,
Due to the current war in the country Syria now, many families are running for their dear lives and I do not intend to stay behind with my family. Well, I want to bring to your notice that I have the sum of (10,500,000 Euros) which I got from crude oil deal as a business man, I deposited this money with a Finance company in here, and I have secured this money in a box before depositing it with the Finance company vault as Research materials & Personal Effects.
 
 
Now due to the current war in our country, I am in need of a Reliable and Trust worthy person who will receive the cash-box, secure and protect it till my arrival in your country, which should be soon. I have to take this chance because, I have no other alternative and I am an orphan with no brother non sister, so I cannot risk my life here to avoid an end to my family lineage. All I have is my wife, my daughter and son and they deserve a decent life since I want them to grow up in a peaceful environment. I will relocate to your country with my family and invest the money in accordance with the law, your advice and assistance. We can work together and achieve a better future for our families.
 
All I ask is to permit me to move the money from the Finance Company to your country in your name as family treasure/ research materials. I will assume you are capable of handling a deal of this magnitude and also trust you to maintain absolute secrecy and confidentiality to protect this great achievement.
 
Note that I have taken precautionary measures to secure the money and the box is coded with high security gadget and am the only one that has the right combination to unlock it. I will give you 30% of the money and 70% for me. I believe this is a fair deal. If you are interested in the deal furnish the following: Your full name, your private phone number, your full address.
 
I anticipate your positive response and on receipt of your information I will provide you with further details on what to do. We don't have the luxury to waste time so kindly respond ASAP.
 
Best regards,
Hafez Al-khani

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