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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: garson ritchie <lotteryagent_garsonritchie02@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 13 May 2006 06:27:54 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: CONGRATULATIONS


Dear Swetyene Hanford,

I want to inform you that your draft is out, and I'm
sending a copy to you. What you have to do as matter
of urgency is for you to send this money £500 pounds
for the insurance and Courier service to enable me
send the original copy of your draft to the address
you gave to me.

You are also advice to send the money through Western
Union Money transfer with the information below.

RECEIVER'S NAME: MICHAEL VALE

RECEIVER'S ADDRESS: LONDON,UNITED KINGDOM

TEXT QUESTION: WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

ANSWER: SWETYENE HANFORD

MTCN...............

You have to send this money immediately so that I will
pick it and do all the necessary things and send your
draft to your address immediately without any delay.

I wait for your urgent response.

Thanks,

Mr. Garson Ritchie.

__________________________________________________
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