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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: "FROM: BARRISTER BOGA WILLIAMS ESQ" <bogawilliams2005@yahoo.fr> (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 15:23:58 -0800
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

FROM: BARRISTER BOGA WILLIAMS ESQ
RUE DU COMMERCE
ABJ PLATEAUX 06 BP 32
ABIDJAN-COTE D'IVOIRE
DEAR ,
This is sequel to your non response of our earlier letter to you on behalf of the Trustees and Executors to the Will of late of Sir Engr.Stafford Morris , I wish to notify you that you were listed as a beneficiary to the bequest of the sum of USD$1,500,000.00 in the codicil and
last testament of the deceased.

The late Sir Engr.Stafford Morris until his death was a former Managing Director and pioneer staff of a big construction company here in Abidjan-Cote D'Ivoire. He was a very dedicated Christian, and a great philanthropist during his life time.

Late Sir Stafford died on 9th February 2002 at the age of 68,He was buried on the 23rd of February. Late Sir Engr.Stafford Morris even though he was an American living and working in here as a foreigner he requested before his death that he be buried here in his words, "I regard here as My home and the people as my people". He said that this token is to support your ministry and help to the less- privelegded. I
hereby request that you forward any proof of identities of yours, your current telephone and fax numbers and your forwarding address to enable us file necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this bequest of money.
congratulations.
Yours faithfully,
BARRISTER BOGA WILLIAMS ESQ.


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