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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: "Hopewell Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hjohnson_7000@yahoo.fr>
Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:53:28 -0500
Subject: Intention To Entrust Investment

Dear Friend,

Sequel to the secret arrangement regarding the shipment of the funds, I wish to inform you that all necessary modalities have been automatically concluded and have left Africa to UK via to your Country today, by Express Cargo Flight.

Note carefully the content of the Iron sealed crate is "MONEY" but I did not disclose it to the Courier Services as Money, but I, rather informed them that the sealed boxes contain "COSTLY ANTIQUES" belonging to my client which is you.

Furthermore, the weight of the consignment is 100kg but I manage to pay for the cost 50kg, which is put at US$12,600.00. But On no account should you disclose the content of the boxes to the Diplomat that is delivery those trunks to you, for fear of betrayal, so I beg you, do not allow them to know that the content is money.

As soon I hear from you, I will furnish you with the shipment details. So get back to me as soon as possible so that I can give you the shipment document as I will be coming over immediately the consignment arrives in your Country for my own share.

Best Regards

Hopewell Johnson

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