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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: "brigg svetres" <briggsvetres@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: briggsventures@mail.md
Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 10:23:35 +0000
Subject: A lifetime opportunity!!!

PLEASE TREAT AS URGENT.
Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Mr. Frank Briggs, managing director of Briggs
Metallurgical Import and Export Company U K.

Our company deals on machinery and export into the Canada/America and
Europe. We are searching for representatives who can help us establish a
medium of getting to our customers in the Canada/America and Europe as well
as making payments through you to us. Please if you are interested in
transacting business with us, we will be very glad.

Subject to your satisfaction, you will be given the opportunity to negotiate
terms for your services as our representative in Canada/America and Europe.
Note, there is no financial obligation required of you and this transaction
is 100% risk free. If this proposal is acceptable by you, a swift
acknowledgement upon the receipt of this mail will be appreciated.

Kindly furnish me with your telephone, fax numbers and full contact address.

Please reply me through this email briggsventures@mail.md

Yours truly,

Frank Briggs


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