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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: "Escot Esmahill" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 16:29:37 -0800
Subject: BE MY BUSINESS PARTNER

Hello Dear Friend,
 
 
 
This message might meet you in (utmost surprise), however, it's just my urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact you for this transaction. I am a banker by profession from United Arab Emirates and currently holding the post of Director Auditing and Accounting unit of the bank.
 
 
 
I have the opportunity of transferring the left over funds of ($ 17.5million) our bank deceased customer late Richard Burson, who died on (Egypt Air Flight 990) Along with his entire family on a plane crash below. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/502503.stm
 
 
Hence I am inviting you for a business deal where this money can be shared between us in the ratio of 50/50 as a brotherhood. If you agree to my business proposal further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive your return mail.
 
 
Yours Sincerely
Mr.Escot Esmahill
 
 

Anti-fraud resources: