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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 . Susan Hays" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrssusan.hays@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 11:14:34 -0800
Subject: Update :TO WHOM IT MAY CONCEREN

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would like to request your assistance in a business transaction of mutual benefit, I am from the United Kingdom and a member of The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), our committee is in charge of contracts awards and payment for all contractors who executes contracts in the rebuilding of Iraq. We are currently in London for the payment of some contractors who executed contracts in Iraq.

For more about our operations visit the web site: http://www.usaid.gov/iraq/activities.html

There was an over draft contract we just discovered for 50 Million GBP and with our influence in this panel we can successfully present you/or your company to claim the above funds. We have agreed to share the money thus:
1. 30% for You.
2. 70% for us (the officials).

Please note that this transaction is 100% safe and we hope to commence the transfer latest seven (7) banking days from the date of receipt of the following information from you via my e-mail Your contact name/company's name if any, your telephone and fax number(s),Residential Home Address.

The above information will enable us write letters of claim and job description respectively.This way, we will use your name or company's name to re-apply for payment and re-award the contract in your company's name. We are looking forward to doing this business with you and solicit your confidentiality in this transaction.

Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter using the above e-mail and I will bring you into the complete picture of this pending project when I have heard from you.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs.Susan Hays

Anti-fraud resources: