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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: zulu_1003@yahoo.ca
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2006 08:34:45 +0200
Subject: RE:TRANSFER OF FUND INTO YOUR COUNTRY

FROM:ISMAEL ZULU
TEL:27 83 436 8440

DEAR SIR,
Permit me to introduce myself, my name is MR ISMAEL ZULU I work with Absa Bank of South Africa Limited as(Assistant Auditor),in the discharge of my duty,I stumbled on this domiciliary account that has remained dormant for three years now with Five million Five hundred Thousand dollars(US$5.5m) in it.
I contacted my director and we sent out staff for enquiries and discovered that the account holder died in an accident. I am writing you so that we can work together to remit the money to you as the next of kin because this money belongs to a foreigner and has to be claimed by a foreigner.
I guarantee this transaction under a legitimate arrangements that will not breach the law by both parties, it is simple process which will take a short while to process.If I hear from you,I will tell you all you need to Know about the money.
You will get 40% share when transferred and 60% for us here.
N.B Please reply to my personal email above.

Best Regards,
MR ISMAEL ZULU


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