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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: sustoure11@onet.eu
Date: Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:08:29 +0200
Subject: Investment Proposal From Susan


From Miss Susan

Quais rue 9 06 BP 531
Abidjan, Cote D' Ivoire . I do apologize for approaching you in such a
manner, but circumstances forced me to contact you. I am Miss Susan
Toure formerly a medical student of the university of Abidjan, Cote d'
Ivoire till my parents and my only brother where killed by the current
government because my father Mr Stephan Toure was an opposition leader to
the present government. Before the death of my father, he has the sum $5.5 =
m
USD (five million, five hundred thousand dollars.) in a fixed deposit
(domiciliary) account with a bank here in Cote d'Ivoire, which I am the nex=
t
of kin. I humbly need your assistance in the following ways:
1) To help me get this money transferred to you.
2) To serve as the guardian
3) To make an arrangement for me to come over to your country after this
money is transferred.
4) To look for a good venture where the money will be invested. I am ready
to compensate you with 15% of the total sum after the transfer for kind you=
r
effort in assisting me. Yours sincerely,Miss Susan.


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