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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: "Mrs Elizabeth Cowens" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dcowens.family@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 00:28:20 -0700
Subject: PERSONAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED{COWENS FAMILY}

Hi,
My name is Mrs Elizabeth Cowens, wife to Mr Bassey Cowens,I came across your resume on Career Network saying you need employment.I'll need your services as a personal assistant for my business within the states. We just moved in to town a couple of days ago before embarking on a trip sponsored by my husband's company. Presently we're on vacation on board on an European line cruiser sponsored by my husband's company and we'll be back soon before the end of this month or at the very beginning of next month. I am a fashion designer, i design and make French wedding gowns, and I have numerous customers around the states.I work from home and i also supply stores with my products.I deal mainly in whole sales. I wish i had my website up already so that you can view some of my work but that's one of the reason why i need a P.A{Personal Assistant} who will work hand in hand with me so that we can set everything up.

Sandra is our only child and daughter and she plays a very important role in our family, ever since she was born,the family has never remained the same for good. There 're just the 4 (myself,my husband,my daughter and my husband's mom) of us in the house,hopefully you will be the fifth person.I have an offer for you to be my personal assistant and to help with business related issues and advice, also to to take care of my business for me whenever am not around in person. You can send in your updated resume/references in your next email. I want to let you know that we're having much fun out here, we would have love to call you but the network on board is really poor because of the high tides for this particular period of the year.But we would call you as soon as we get a clearer reception. My daughter has been a little ill and she has been in the Intensive care Unit on board for the past two days, But I thank God she is getting on fine and this will prompt us in coming hom!
e as soon as we get to the shores.

I and my husband want to put things in place so that you can start immediately we arrive from our vacation.We would like to have a brief interview with you,answer the following questions.

1)How many years of work experience do you have ?
2)Do you smoke ?
3)Do you do drugs ?
4) What area are you located presently ?
5)Do you have any disability ?


. .............Below is our Offer and Requirements.........

You'll be paid $550.00 weekly and If you choose to receive your salaries monthly,thats $2200 and it is okay with us.

1) You must be able to speak English Language..
2)Is your partner in support of this position for you.
3)You must have any references and achievements ?
4)Ever been convicted ??

Doesn't matter to me as long as you have realize your past mistakes and now a changed person.

I await your prompt response and as soon as i get your response, I will write back to let you know if you have the job or not.

Regards.
Mrs.Elizabeth Cowens

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