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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: "arani williams" <araniwilliams1@peru.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 22:38:57 +0100
Subject: Confidential business letter


Dear One,

I am reaching you with faith of my proposal to you after covering your
information from reliable source on net. I desired to solicit for your kind
assistance to help me achieve my good plan to transfer my money $8.8m to
your safe bank and account which I inherited from my late parents and to
come to your country after transfer of the money for investment of my which
I will highly need you full assistance.

I will like to establish a good relationship your person which I am
deserately need your help to achieve this efforts. I am the only son of my
late father, Chief Fred K. Williams. He was a gold and precious stones
merchant when he was alive and my late mother died last 3 months ago after
suffered kidney surgical operation here. When she at hospital bed before her
painful death, she advised me to seek for foreign assistance who will help
me to receive this money and to leave Africa and help to put this money
into good investments with fear of God as I do not have any good idea or
knowledge to manage the big money.

I am Sierra Leonean Nationality, I will be very happy if you can be willing
to help me to accomplish this plan as I have decided to leave from Africa
and come to your country and resettle for this investment for my better
future and my security and to further my education while you will be
managing the business on my behalf. So please kindly indicate your interest
while I will appreciate to feed you with more information on your request.
Anxiously waiting for your interesting reply!
Yours,
Mark Arani Williams

Anti-fraud resources: