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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: georgeking <georgeking@online.nl>
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 22:01:14 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Dear Friend


Dear Friend ,

We are looking for investment opportunities in any part of the world where we can put in about US$18.5Million.

Please if you are interested contact us immediately by email and we shall discuss the modalities of the investment and how to move the funds to you after agreement made between the parties involved.
Please send along the following information

1.Your Full Name
2.Your Private Telephone Number Or Fax Number.
3.Your Full Contact Address
4.Your company Name And Address
5.Copy Of Your International Passport
6.Your Proffession
7.Name Of Your Country.
Reply to my private email address:georgeking@live.fr

Thanks,
George King

Anti-fraud resources: