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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: "philip williams" <philipwilliams333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:09:45 +0200
Subject: Dearest One,


Dearest One,


MY PRIVATE EMAIL(allenmary000@yahoo.com)


I used this means of communications because of time Shortage, so please
kindly bear with me.However,permit me to inform you of my desire of seeking
for your aid and assistance towards securing my inheritance.
I am Miss Mary Allen only child of late Mr and Mrs George Allen My father
was a very wealthy cocoa merchant based in Abidjan Federal Republic of Cote
d'ivoire, Before he was poisoned to death by his business associates on one
of their outing to discuss on a business trip.
When my mother died on the 5th December 1988, my father took me so special
because I am motherless. Before the death of my father on 23rd May 2005 in a
private hospital here in Abidjan Federal Republic of Cote d'ivoire,.He
secretly called me on his bedside and told me that he deposited sum of (
US$6.8m Dollars) in security company in Abidjan I am honourably seeking your
assistance in the following ways.
(1)To help in retrieving this inheritance out from the Security company for
immediate transfer of the fund to your destination account in your country.
(2)To serve as the guardian of this fund during and after the transaction.
(3)To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to continue my
Education after the money has been transferred for investment.
Moreover, I am willing to offer you 10% of the total sum as compensation for
your effort/I will appreciate your early responds. Anticipating to hear
from you soon.
Thanks and God Bless.
Yours Faithfully.
Miss Mary Allen.


MY PRIVATE EMAIL(allenmary000@yahoo.com)

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