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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: "Aysah Mahjoob 7" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <irdi3@mail.kz>
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:47:05 -0700
Subject: URGENT: Can you assist me?

Sir,
 
Its with a very desperate need for assistance that I have summed up courage to contact you. I am Mrs. Aysah Mahjoob from Iraq and I am seeking your assistance to evacuate the sum of $15 Million US Dollars to your country for safe keeping and investment. This money is not from illegal source, no one is aware of the location of this money and there is no danger involved.
 
SOURCE OF MONEY:
 
When the allied forces invaded Iraq in 2003 to ouster President Sadam Hussein, my husband worked for the US Army as an interpreter & US Army patrol guide in Iraq. During one of the patrols conducted by the US Army, some money in various currencies was discovered concealed in barrels with piles of weapons and ammunitions at a location near one of Saddam Hussein old palaces.
 
 
The sum of $15 Million US dollars was taken out from the discovery and it was agreed by all party present that the money be kept in custody of my husband for safe keeping since the US army officers involved in the patrol where still in service, and to conceal this kind of money became a problem for us. With the help of a British contact working in Basra - Iraq whose office enjoys diplomatic immunity; my husband was able to get the package transferred out of Iraq into a vault abroad where the deposit was made under my name as beneficiary.
 
Unfortunately, my husband and my only son where killed when a suicide bomber attacked our home due to my husband involvement with the US Army. I survived with injuries and I am currently in hiding. I have tried to locate the US Army officers involved with my husband but unfortunately all officers where killed by a roadside bomb on their military vehicle during routine patrol in Baghdad.
 
As it stands currently, I am the sole beneficiary of this huge deposit $15 Million US dollars and this has prompted me to reach out for help because I want to relocate abroad. Now that the war in Iraq is over, I have contacted the agent officer to the vault holding the deposit and I have being asked to come forward to take delivery of the said deposit.
 
Unfortunately, I do not have the finance required to travel abroad to file the necessary documentation to collect the $15 Million US Dollars from the vault. I need your partnership so I can introduce you as my representative to the Agent officer to the vault so you can travel down to meet with the Agent officer and finalize the release of the deposit then you will transfer the $15 Million US Dollars into a bank account under your name and thereafter, help me relocate to your country where I intend to settle and start a new life.
 
In addition, you will help me with Investment & Management of the $15 Million US Dollars since I do not have any idea about doing business in your country. You will be adequately compensated for your help.
 
Expecting your urgent reply.
 
Cordially,
 
Mrs. Aysah Mahjoob
 

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