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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: "dominic thompson" <info@representativeworld.net>
Reply-To: infowbc@representative.com
Date: Sat, 11 Jun 2005 23:54:52 +0000
Subject: REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED




Dear Friend,

I represent DONBEST INTERNATIONAL Import and Export
Company based in the UK. My company exports cocoa and
other goods/services for world trade. We are looking
for representatives in Europe and America that can
assist us in clearing our money in their respective
countries.

Most of our customers pay out in cheques and we do
not have an account in your country that will clear
this money. It is upon this note that we seek your
assistance as our representative in your country.

Be informed that as our representative, you will
receive 10% of whatever amount you clear for the
company and the balance will be paid into an account
we will avail to you.

If you are interested in this business offer, please
respond as soon as possible through my private email
address :infodbest@webwbc-mail.org

Thank you for your cooperation.

Very Respectfully,
Dominic Thomspon,
President
DONBEST INTERNATIONAL Import and Export company
Goods for Import / Export & Freight
Fwdg. Svcs.
--------- and ---------------
WORLD MARKET SOLUTIONS
Import / Export & Freight Fwdg.vcs.


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