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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: amidu ahmed <amidu_ahmed8@hotmail.fr>
Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2007 16:16:09 +0000
Subject: DEAR FRIEND



Amidu Ahmed.
DEAR FRIEND, THIS MESSAGE MIGHT MEET YOU IN UTMOST SURPRISE. HOWEVER, IT'S JUST MY URGENT NEED FOR FOREIGN PARTNER THAT MADE ME TO CONTACT YOU FOR THIS TRANSACTION. I AM A BANKER BY PROFESSION FROM BURKINA FASO IN WEST AFRICA AND CURRENTLY HOLDING THE POST OF FOREIGN REMMITTANCE DIRECTOR IN OUR BANK. I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF TRANSFERING THE LEFT OVER FUNDS ($10.5 MILLION) OF ONE OF MY BANK CUSTOMER WHO DIED ALONG WITH HIS ENTIRE FAMILY IN PLANE CRASH. YOU CAN CONFIRM THE GENUINESS OF THE DECEASED DEATH FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THIS SITE BELLOWhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm HENCE, I AM INVITING YOU FOR A BUSINESS DEAL BY TRANSFERING THIS MONEY INTO YOUR ACCOUNT, WHERE THIS MONEY CAN BE SHARED BETWEEN US IN THE RATIO OF 50%/40% AND 10% FOR EXPENSES IF YOU AGREE TO MY BUSINESS PROPOSAL. FURTHER DETAILS OF THE TRANSACTION WILL BE FORWARDED TO YOU AS SOON AS I RECEIVE YOUR MAIL.I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO READ FROM YOU SOON. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH THIS E- MAIL ADDRESSE amidu_ahmed@myway.com YOUR FRIEND, MR Amidu Ahmed.
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