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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: "Mattar williams" <mattar_williams@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:31:33 +0000
Subject: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL :

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL :


DEAR FRIEND,


I AM A CLOSE FRIEND TO THE EX PRESIDENT CHARLES TAYLOR OF
LIBERIA WHO IS FACING A TRIAL FOR GENOCIDE AGAINST HIS PEOPLE IN A SPECIAL
COURT IN FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE. THE SITUATION AT THE MOMENT CALLS FOR ALL
HIS ASSETS TO BE FROZEN AND IF THAT HAPPENS, HIS FAMILY WILL HAVE NOTHING TO
FALL BACK ON SINCE MAY STAND TO BE JAILED FOR LIFE.

BASED ON THIS CIRCUMSTANCE, HOWEVER HE ASKED ME TO CART AWAY ANYTHING THAT
IS WITHIN MY REACH TO ANY FOREIGN INVESTOR OF CONFIDENCE.
CONTACT ME PLEASE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AND I WILL SEND YOU ALL THE
NECESSARY DETAILS INCLUDING THE AMOUNT THAT IS READY AT THE MOMENT AND ALL
THE STIPULATED CONDITIONS FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP.

BEST REGARDS,
MR.MATTAR WILLIAMS

_________________________________________________________________
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