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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: "Mr.Raphael Williams" <raph_w10@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: raph_w10@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 10:58:47 +0100
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE.

Attention Please,
I am contacting you believing you are honest and trustworthy person.I
believe you will not betray the confidence my family are willing to
repose in you,for have contact you even though we haven't meet in person
before.My name is Mr.Raphael Williams , a citizen of southern Sudan, the son of Mr. John Williams.
My father was a business man and well known Gold dealler from Darfur in Sudan.
I am presently in Senegal with my mother Elizabeth williams.
My father Mr. John williams deposited the sum of US$7.500.000.00 Million
(Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) under a custody of Finance Firm in Senegal in my name (Raphael) as the next of kin
to the above fund.We need to transfer the money to a foreign trustee
with interest to secure a sustainable investment.
We are therefore soliciting for your assistance to help us receive the
money out from Senegal and as well to transfer it into your private or company
account for our investment in your country under your care.
You are advised to visit this website
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/panorama/4007191.stm> where you will
find more details and informations .
Please reply immediately you receive this mail for further discussion and
also tell us the amount you will take as your rewards for helping us to
handle the transfer to your position for us to give you more details
information of the deposit.
We will give you the deposit Certificate immediately you indicate your willingness to be our foreign business
partner.
Thanks for your anticipated understanding and co-operation.
Best regards,
Mr.Raphael/Elizabeth Williams.




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