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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: Mrs Zeb Johnson <henia.geras@neostrada.pl>
Reply-To: zebora.johnson@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2010 06:57:34 -0700
Subject: WITH ALL DUE RESPECT.

Dearest.

I work with Trustnet A Financial Security Company in UK and I handle all the foreign department Project, On a routine inspection I discovered the total sum of GBP10 M (POUNDS) deposited by a foreign client, accumulated demurrage and no next of kin attched to the deposit certificate, whereby anyone can be presented to claim the funds.

On this note, I need a reliable and trustworthy person that can work this deal out with me so that we can claim the funds as mentioned above. There is no risk attached and the funds in question can never be dictated or traced. Our sharing ratio is 60% for me while the remaining 40% will go to you and my own 60% I will invest in your company for a period of 5 years. I am counting on your sense of confidentiality, as it is my desire that you keep this business to yourself.

Anticipating to hearing from you.

Best Regards,

Mrs. Zeborah Johnson

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