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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "ISABEL ROMANO VIEIRA" <isabelromanovieira@qatar.io>
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 11:27:53 +0700
Subject: VERY URGENT & CONFIDENTIAL !!

 
Dearest,
Thanks for finding time to go through my mail. I am Mrs. Isabel Romano Vieira, wife of the late President Joao Bernardo Vieira of Guinea-Bissau who was assassinated some months back in a very cruel manner. Please, kindly visit the links below for more information.You will find  photographs of me and my late husband:   
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7918061.stm
http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2009-03/2009-03-02-voa33.cfm?CFID=199268591&CFTOKEN=22845266&jsessionid=88309d252410fcb5187e11507931594b6c36
http://newshopper.sulekha.com/slideshow/vieira-right.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/628045/76586/President-elect-Joao-Bernardo-Vieira-and-his-wife-Isabel-greet
Immediately after my late husband's funeral I left the country to seek refuge elsewhere.Although I am a business novice and still mourn for my late husband, I have an inclination and orientation for continued achievements and success.
Because I was legally married to my late husband, I inherited a very huge amount of money ( I will not disclose the amount to you here and now as a matter of precaution!) which my late husband deposited with a security company in Thailand for safekeeping.
I am contacting you because I want you to honestly and sincerely assist me to claim this money from where it was deposited and probably guide me in investing the fund in a worthwhile flourishing business over there.Although I am a novice in business, I have an eye on rigid properties. Your advice on other areas of private sector will be highly appreciated. I believe that you would be of great help in guiding me to a successful business investment in your country.I will appreciate if you will show interest in collaborating with me, as this transaction will benefit both of us on joint venture partnership.Furthermore I am ready to give you a good negotiable percentage cash reward for your assistance. Detailed information on other proceedings will be made available to you upon receiving your reply showing interest in collaborating with me as I look forward to your urgent reply.

Sincerely Yours,
Isabel Romano Vieira

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