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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "await your urgent response" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: MICHAEL HARNI <mharni01@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2006 01:41:22 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: PLEASE GET BACK TO ME


Dear Harry Anslinger ,

I am MICHEAL HARNI.A former government official of Liberia. Following the exit of president Charles Taylor of Liberia from power under a West African brokered peace agreement, led by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo he was granted asylum by the Nigerian Government. In my position as the Financial Secretary to the President and close confidant, I left for Nigeria in his Entourage. My country has been engulfed in Protracted Civil war with rebels controlling some parts of the country. During the war, President Taylor disbursed large sums of Monies to buy the loyalty of the entire cabinet, and I can say with all modesty that I was one of the Chief Beneficiaries of this disbursement.

This is aside from money I used my official position to acquire while in office. Since we relocated to Calabar, Southern Nigeria all has been well, but with the recent indictment of former President Taylor by the war crime tribunal sitting in Sierra Leone and confirmed reports of a dedicated fund by the American Government to capture him in order to face war crime charges have now decided to leave the country. Presently I have funds totaling United State $15,000,000. (Fifteen Million US Dollars) Which I intend to move oversea for investment and spend the rest of my life there with my family.

This transaction is risk-free as all local arrangement has been made. If you are prepared to assist to work with me I require the following: Your Full Name and Address, Your Private Telephone, Fax Number and private Email Address.

As Compensation for your assistance you will retain 15% of the Total sum, While 5% will be mapped out for local and International expenses. Though we are not known to each other, I strongly believe that through this transaction we would be able to forge a mutually beneficial relationship between us, now and in the future.

Finally, the success of this transaction will depend to a great extent on mutual trust, secrecy and Confidentiality from you. I await your urgent response.

Best Regards,

MICHEAL HARNI.


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam