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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: fred uwuigbe <greatuwuigbe@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2006 08:34:23 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: GOD IS GOOD


Dear Brothers and Sisters,

please in the name of God I need your help, I have been
praying to God to send me helper before I get your email
address. I know you may not be happy that I am sending you
this kind of mail but I have know option than to ask you
for help. Please all I need is some money to start
business. In my family feeding is a big problem to us, that
is the reason I want to start something to enable take care
of my family. Please I beg you in the name of God, help me.

Looking forward to your reply, have a wonderful day,

Fred.


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