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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: Hassan Osman <jeffradebe002@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wcix101@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 16:06:52 +0100
Subject: Re: E-MAIL FROM HASSAN OSMAN!!

Assalamualaikum,

After my official inquiry from the foreign trade office of the chambers of
commerce & industry here, I decided to contact you but I did not disclose
the intention to anyone else because of the delicate nature of the project.
I found your profile very interesting and decided to reach you directly to
solicit for your assistance. Please, I must plead for your confidence in
this transaction. I am a high placed official working with the President of
Libya (Col. Muammar Gaddafi).

I was serving as the President's Aid - De - Camp (ADC), am currently in
need of an experienced silent foreign partner whom I can trust to push some
of the funds he deposited in my name in various financial firms in some
countries he has business with.

Actually, my good friend, I was inducted by Col. Muammar Gaddafi after
seeing my trust. I have been in charge of all financial matters concerning
his funds due to the trust the President has on me, as you know in
military, ADC is someone you must trust more than any one else.

I want your assistance to move some of these funds to your country as you
know that my boss is already facing serious problems with the western
world. I will allow you to invest it in your business or in any good
business. All necessary documents will be made available for prove in
needed time.

I plead with you on one issue, whether you are interested or not, kindly do
not expose this information to any one else. I confirm that the transaction
is legitimate and without any risk either to me or yourself. Please, give
me your response immediately by returning this mail through my email
address.

Hassan Osman
Telephone: +44-70457-50276
*

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