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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: "SMITH DAVID" <smithd3002@msn.com>
Reply-To: smithd004@comic.com
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 09:33:59 +0000
Subject: FROM DAVID FITTE.

FROM: Sgt. David Smith Fitte
Important Message

To President / Managing Director.

Good day,
My name is David Smith Fitte, I am an American soldier, I am serving in
the military of the 1st Armored Division in Iraq, as you know we are
being attacked by insurgents everyday and car bombs. We managed to move
funds belonging to Saddam Hussein’s family. The total amount is US$25
Million dollars in cash, mostly 100 dollar bills. We want to move this
money to you, so that you may invest it for us and keep our share for
banking.

We will take 60%, my partner and I. You take the other 40%. No strings
attached, just help us move it out of Iraq, Iraq is a war zone. We plan
on using diplomatic courier and shipping the money out in one large
silver box, using diplomatic immunity.
If you are interested I will send you the full details, my job is to
find a good partner that we can trust and that will assist us. Can I
trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail
signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone/fax
numbers
for quick communication also your contact details. This business is
risk free. The box can be shipped out in 48hrs.

Respectfully,
Sgt. David.


Anti-fraud resources: