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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: "Glenn Derick" <gristmill_invest_co117@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: gristmill_invest_co5@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 11:08:02 -0500
Subject: Ref:Partnership Enquiry.

Ref:2007 Investment Project In Your Country.
 
Dear Sir.
 
We of the Gristmill Inv.Company are brokering an Investment deal in your country on behalf of a client. This deal will involve the eventual investment of USD25M. (Twenty Five Million Dollars) in your country.
 
We are by this letter offering you our partnership, so as to allow us have you as representative and manager of invested funds in your country within the time frame of the investment/partnership scheme.
 
Since we can not determine if this email is still functional and also your willingness, we have kept this proposal brief.
 
If you are Interested in this offer of partnership, please respond and give us your full contact details plus company profile, and in response we will send you an elaborate proposal and details of this offer.
 
Your expedient response will be appreciated.
 
Thank you.
 
Glenn Derick
Public Relations Officer,
Gristmill Investment Co.

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