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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: "DR.WALTER PETERS" <peterwalter@libero.it> (may be fake)
Reply-To: walterpeters@zipmail.com.br
Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2005 23:39:54 -0800
Subject: lnvestment Proposal.

Dear Sir.
l am Dr. Walter Peters. member of the contract award committee, Department of ministry of petroleum resources, (DPR) I am in search of an agent to assist us in the transfer of (USD 25m) and subsequent investment in properties in your country.
you will be required to.
(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.
If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 20% of the total sum of USD25m will be for you.
yours faithfully,
Dr. Walter Peters.
Private e-mail Address: walterpeters@katamail.com



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