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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: Mr.Smith George. <smith.george3@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: smith.george12@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:48:09 +0200
Subject: Appeal For Urgent Business Assistance.


FROM. MR SMITH GEORGE.
DAKAR-SENEGAL, WEST AFRICA.
APPEAL FOR URGENT BUSINESS ASSISTANCE.
I wish to request for your assistance in a financial transaction. I got your contact
from the Dakar chamber of commerce and industry. I wish to invest in a manufacturing
and real estatemanagement industry in your country. I have ten million, five hundred
thousand United State Dollars. USD($10.500,000) to invest in the industry and I will
require your assistance in receiving the funds into your bank account in your country.
I will gladly give you 10% of the total sum for your assistance. Please it is important
that you reply as soon as posible with your private phone and fax number for our verbal
communication.
Waiting for your prompt response.
Thanks.
Mr. Smith George.

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