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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: "HOWARD HAYS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hays90z@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 03:49:38 -0800
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL

Good Day

I am Howard Hays a white American oil businessman in Nigeria, From
(America) I wish to introduce to you a project that would be of
immense benefit to both of us. Being an executor of FUNDS, it is
possible that we may be tempted to make funds out of our client's
situations, when we cannot help it, or left with no better option.

The issue I am presenting to you is a case of my partner who share of
$12.5 millions in our fund of 25.5millions to his next-of-kin. It was
most unfortunate that he and his next-of-kin died on the same day in
an auto-crash in nigeria. I am now faced with indecision about who to
pass the funds to. However, I don't belong to that school of thought
which proposes that the funds of unlucky people be given to the
government.

We have a problem and is that the Nigeria Government tax office ask me
to pay their country tax of $100,000.00usd before they can allow the
fund to be wired but I only have $75,000.00usd remaining $25,000.00usd
because it a joint account for two only. I need some one who can raise
the remaining money for me and the whole fund will be transfer into
his or her account and we share the money 60/40 percent, I will take
60 percentages and you will take 40 percentages after you have
received the fund in your account.

I therefore seek for your assistance in presenting you as next of kin
to the deceased. Please give your response to this email via :
(hays90z@gmail.com) I will reveal other details upon your response to
this email and as soon as we establish correspondence via our company
lawyer we both share together.

Reward is negotiable.

Yours in Service
From


Howard Hays

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