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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: freeman edem <freeman_edem@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 23:16:49 +0100 (BST)
Subject: assist


Dear Sir My name is Mr.FREEMAN EDEM the son of Mr. Mabeli edem of Zimbabwe. It might be a surprise to you Don't be worried because I am contacting you in good faith. During the current crisis against the farmers of Zimbabwe by the supporters of our President Robert Mugabe to claim all the white owned farms in our country, he ordered all the white farmers to surrender their farms to his party members and their followers. My father was one of the best farmers in the country and knowing supporters invaded my father's farm and burnt down everything, killed him and confiscated all his investments. After the death of my father, my mother and I with my younger sister decided to move out of Zimbabwe for the safety of our lives. We took along with us the certificate of deposit which my late father gave to me. my late father deposited the sum of US$21.M ($21 MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS)to the private security company in Accra Ghana. where he deposited it as personal valuables in a
private Security Company for safekeeping of the fund. Because of our present status (Political Refugees), My mother and I are seriously looking forward to having an overseas partner that will assist us with the convenient and legal transfer of the funds out of Ghana. If my proposition is considered, for assisting us to transfer this money to your country, we will offer you 25% of the total fund, and 10% of the total will be set aside to cover any expenses incurred during this transaction. 75% will be for my family to invest in your country under your supervision. For detailed information, you can contact me direct in my private e mail via.. isohmartins@yahoo.com would appreciate confidentiality and honesty in our correspondence.Your immediate response will be highly welcomed. Best Regards, Mr. freeman edem.
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