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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Fraud email example:

From: jamespetrescu@handbag.com
Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2005 13:24:40 +0200
Subject: DEAR FRIEND!!!

Dear friend,
I am James Petrescu, I am 49 years old. I am a citizen of Romania, but I
am resident in South Africa. I was born an orphan and God blessed me abundantly.
But I am not a happy man. I have no wife and I have no children. As at now
I am seriously sick. I just came out of the hospital back to my home. I am
suffering from lung cancer and I had partial stroke which has affected my
speech. I can no longer talk, and half of my body is paralyzed. The doctors
say I have about few months to live.

I send this email to you with the help of my private male nurse who is typing
my request. I have little time so I have committed it to spreading my wealth
towards better health care for mankind. In the hospital where I was, I gave
the management USD$1 million to upgrade their cancer research facility. I
have also made some cash donations to orphanage children homes in Somalia,
Ethiopia, Bulgaria, Sudan, and some in South Africa. I have succeeded in
spreading my liquid cash towards well deserved means. My soul is happy.

What I am doing gives me joy. I am now sharing my properties and valuables.
I don?t know you, but I am contacting you with the hope that you will carry
out my wish for the sake of humanity. I have 5 million dollars (USD) deposited
with a Diplomatic company in Europe. I want you to take custody of the 5
million dollars (USD) and use it to build and operate (you could look for
someone to operate it if you are unable to) an orphanage in your country.
You will name the orphanage James Petrescu orphanage home. You must follow
my wish for it will gladden my heart.

I have set aside 20% for you for your time and patience. please send a reply
through this email address (jamespetrescu@netscape.net) with your full contact
information for more private and confidential communication.
God be with you.
James Petrescu


__________________________________________________________________
1Mb Tiscali Broadband for £14.99.
Offer ends 30th June 2005
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/products/broadband





__________________________________________________________________
1Mb Tiscali Broadband for £14.99.
Offer ends 30th June 2005
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/products/broadband





__________________________________________________________________
1Mb Tiscali Broadband for £14.99.
Offer ends 30th June 2005
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/products/broadband


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