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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: "Alexei Zakh" <alexizakh1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: alexeizakh10@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2005 18:20:46 +0000
Subject: URGENT REPLY!!!

Alexei Zakh

Accra Ghana.

 
I expected you to reply my first mail.
 
My names are Alexei Zakh ; I am a close confidante of Faure Gnassingbe, the Son of Togo's late authoritarian Leader Gnassingbe Eyadema. Following the declaration of the presidential election on April 24 and Faure Gnassingbe declared the winner against opposition candidate, Emmanuel Bob Akitani, Togo plunged into violence and as such has claimed over 500 lives.   
In preparation of any eventual consequence, as a top secret, Faure Gnassingbe Eyadema detailed me to make private arrangement to purchase arms and ammunition. Through a diplomatic cover, I have moved  the sum of US$25,000,000.00 (twenty five million US dollars.) which I deposited with a security company as family treasure in Europe. At the heat of the event I left Togo and the local news reported that I have been killed. So my nobody knows where I am now. I am reagarded as dead by Togo Government.
 
Since then I have been in hiding in Ghana because Faure Gnassingbe Eyadema finally manipulated his way and is the president now. So all my life lies on this money, I now write you to seek for your help on how to safe guard this money for investment and relocation eventually.
 
Please get back to me as soon as possible if you know you can help and be kind enough to notify me if you will not be able to carry out this mission. I will compensate you very well if you should help me God knows.
 
Alexei Zakh

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