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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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Please note about this email:

Fraud email example:

From: "George Ford" <george_zonalcompany@msn.com>
Reply-To: george_zonalcompany@myway.com
Date: Thu, 01 Dec 2005 11:29:40 +0000
Subject: REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED!!!

Dear Friend,
 
I represent Zonal Import and Export Company based in
spain and UK. My company exports cocoa, rubber and timber
for world trade. We are searching for representatives
who can help us establish a medium of getting to our
customers in Europe and America as well as making
payments through you as our payment officer.
Most of our customer pay out in cheques and we do not
have an account in your country that will clear this
money. It is upon this note that we seek your
assistance to stand in as our representative in your
country.
 
Note that, as our representative, you will receive 10%
of whatever amount you clear for the company and the
balance will be paid to us.
If you are interested in this business transaction,
forward to us the information below:
 
(1)Your full names,
(2)Contact address and,
(3)Phone/fax numbers.
Thank you for your time.
Very Respectfully,
 
Mr.George Ford
Asst. marketing manager,
Zonal Import/Export co.
Goods for Import/Export
Freight Fwdg. Svcs.
NB:Email To: george_zonalcompany@myway.com
 

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