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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: "Mr. Smith White" <smithwhite12@onet.pl>
Reply-To: williamrigule@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2012 18:41:25 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: CONTACT:MR.WILLIAM RIGULE FOR YOUR BANK DRAFT OF US$5,200,000.00




Hello my good friend.
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family?, You may not understand why this mail came to you.But if you do not remember me, you  might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded.
I am using this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has been concluded with the assistance of another partner from India who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you.
But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund out of my bank to my new partner's account in India that was capable of assisting me in this great venture. Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness You showed during the course of the transaction. I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $5,200,000.00. I have left a certified international bank draft for you worth of $5,200,000.00 cash able anywhere in the world.
My dear friend I will like you to contact my Account Officer Mr. William Rigule on his direct email address at: [williamrigule@gmail.com] the collection of your bank draft. I authorized him to release the Bank Draft to you whenever you contact him regarding for it. At the moment, I'm very busy here because of the investment projects, which I and the new partner are having at hand.
Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart,Also comply with Mr. Rigule's directives so that he will send the draft to you without any delay.
CONTACT: Mr. William Rigule.Account Officer, Cotonou,Benin Republic,His email address:[williamrigule@gmail.com]
Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him to send the draft to you. Thanks and God bless you and your family.
Hoping to hear from you.Mr. Smith White

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