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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: "Hajia Mariam." <abba_abacha@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: hajia_m52@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 2 May 2005 15:04:48 +0400
Subject: OUR INTENTIONS.

Salamualaikum,

Believe me and my family or not I will say how it is with us and Allah would sure bear me witness as regards this transaction which happens to be my family last hope.Due to the sudden death of my husband General Abacha the former head of state of Nigeria in June 1998, I have been thrown into a state of hopelessness by the present administration.I have lost confidence with anybody within my country.

My son Alhaji Abba got your contacts through personal research while surfing the net,and I had to reach you through this medium. My family will give you more details when you reply, due to security network placed on my daily affairs I cant visit the embassy so that is why I have contacted you,but issha Allah all will go well.

My husband deposited $38.6million dollars with a se
amaju7: My husband deposited $38.6million dollars with a security firm abroad whose name is witheld for now till we communicate. I will be happy if you can receive this funds and keep it safe I assure you a % of this fund.I will need your tel/ fax numbers so that we can commence communication.Please expedite action.

Yours,

Hajia Mariam.



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