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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Miss Binta Wahid." <wahid_binta@voila.fr> (may be fake)
Reply-To: binta_wahid@voila.fr
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 15:38:57 +0100
Subject: Assalam Alaikum

Dear Sir,
Hello, i am 24 years of age now, i will not forget to ask you about your health i hope fine, i want to ask you if your interesting to help me, because i will like you to take me as your Sister or adopt me as your daughter, My late father was working in Gold and diamond company for 17 years but was killed during the crisis in my country, then i managed to escape with my father's important documents that worth (8.3 million dollars) which desposited in my name in Europe.
Meanwhile i am here with all the vital documents that covery the Money such as death certificate and statement of account,Secondly if i receive any positive response i will forward all the documents to you base on interest.
Please, I await your very Urgent and Positive reply as soon as you recieve this message.
Please, Also give me your personal phone and fax numbers so that I can contact you and also send you the Documents by fax.Have a great day and extend my regards to your family.
E-mail: binta_w1980@voila.fr
Best regard.
Miss Binta Wahid.


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