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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: <engrcarlos007@latinmail.com>
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2005 6:38:46 +0100
Subject: Transfer From Account # 1978248331000

Plot 142 road,
Trans-Amadi,
Port Harcourt
Reply only to this email: engrcarlos07@hotmail.com

Sir/Madam,

My name is Mr Carlos Lee from Africa.I am 44 years old and happily married with three lovely children.A banker by profession and also a christian by religion.

I dont know you,but I got your email contact from my web directories and was moved to contact you in due time for your permission and kind help before proceeding.My aim of writing to you this business letteris based on the fact that I want to invest what i recently discovered in my bank
in your country which involves a lot of money($44.7 million United States dollars cash) which belonged to late Mr Andrew Philips an American with account number 1978248331000 and this is why I have contacted you as a stranger so as to be sure this money leaves the shores of my country in Africa for good.As an assistant,I propose 20% to you.

It is not really my policy to discuss the nature of my business online on the first day till you show interest in this deal.Please feel free to get back to me for further details as I await your reply in earnest.

Regards,
Carlos Lee
--

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