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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: Sarah Farmer <sarahfarmer20l2@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: sarahfarmer2012@yahoo.cn
Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2012 18:26:13 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Please be my present help in this time of need.





 
Please be my present help in this time of need.
CNA Building,2nd floor, 01BP 429,
Abidjan 01.
 
Dearest one,
Peace be unto you. I know my mail might be a surprise to you but never mind because I am contacting you in good faith. However, accept my sincere apologies if it doesn't meet your personal ethics. I am Miss Sarah Farmer Coulibaly, 22 years old native of Port-Buet district in Abidjan. I am the only child of my parents Mr. and Mrs. Ibrahim Farmer Coulibaly who are now late.
I was born out of tragic fate, my mother died of cancer when I was only four years old and I was brought up under the care of my lovely father before he met his own untimely death from gun shots by opposition rebel groups who stormed our residence in the recent political uprising in my country as a result of a disputed presidential election result.
 
My father spent three days in the hospital before he eventually gave up the ghost. After his burial, my uncle seized all my father's properties and investments because of our traditional believe that I as a lady have no part in the family inheritance since I am supposed to eventually get married and leave the home. It was really hard on me as I had nothing to get on because of my uncles wicked attitude.
However, my father told me an important secret while on his dying bed that he deposited the sum of Three million, seven hundred thousand US Dollars ($3.7M) in a renowned Bank in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, and also directed me to the documents of the ownership of the fund.
 
My uncle has no knowledge whatsoever about this and he has relocated abroad with his children after the arrest of the deposed president.
I'll give you the security company’s details when I've heard from you and more trust develops. However due to political instability and disturbances here and my strong feeling of fear and insecurity as I have been repeatedly harassed since my fathers death, I want to transfer the fund abroad to an enabling and stable environment where Tax will not be much and use it for profitable venture.
 
I'll need a reliable partner who might as well guide me in investing and more importantly completion of my education, and I want you to help me in these regard. I'll give you 10% of the money if you will offer me the necessary assistance in good faith.
Your interest and willingness to help me will in no small measure be a big relief to me in this time of need. I want to hear from you, please kindly respond.
I am looking forward to hearing from you,
Sarah.
 

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