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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: "Mr. Ahmed Farouk:" <afarouk---19540922@att.net>
Reply-To: <ahfarouk@gmx.se>
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:55:52 -0700
Subject: Re: Asalamalakum,

Asalamalakum,
 
I hope this message reaches you in good health and happiness.
 
I feel quite safe dealing with you having gone through your remarkable profile on the internet.
 
I am Mr. Ahmed Farouk, the chief accountant to Mr. Laurent Gbagbo, the former president of Ivory Coast. During the political civil war, I moved the total sum of Thirty Six Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only to one of the leading commercial banks vault in Ghana on behalf of Mr. Gbagbo which he intended to use for the purchasing of oil, gas and ammunitions.
 
Unfortunately, Mr. Gbagbo was arrested before the arrival of the foreign merchandise who was supposed to supply the oil, gas and ammunitions. Mr. Gbagbo is gone for life but the said sum is currently deposited at the bank vault. Hence, I humbly request your honest assistance to transfer the said funds to any designated foreign bank account of your choice and you shall be entitled to 30% of the total funds for your services which I hopefully believe you will accept with an open mind.
 
You have no reason to fear of any hitch as all procedures will be legally handled by me as I have map out a perfect strategic to execute this transaction without any hitch but you must handle this information wisely by keeping it only to yourself to enable us successfully transfer these funds to any designated foreign bank account of your choice without any hitch. More so, all I require is your confidentiality, trustworthy and utmost supports to enable us effectively archive this goal.
 
Upon the conclusion of this transaction, you shall assist me invest my 70% share of the total funds in any profitable business ventures of your choice in any country of choice for safety.
 
If you accept this offer, we shall firstly enter into an agreement that will bind us together after which I shall authorize the bank to transfer the said funds to any designated foreign bank account of your choice with immediate effect. Finally, quickly reply back to me in complete confidence with your direct contact telephone and fax numbers for easy and confidential communication.
 
I await your prompt response.
 
Sincerely,
 
Mr. Ahmed Farouk.

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