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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: Ms. Diabate Halimata <h.diabate@voila.fr>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:35:20 +0000
Subject: i need your urgent reply

Hello
It is a great pleasure to write you, but I know you will be very surprised if you do not know me. but I got your address from the directory business here in London where I am based.
I'm Mrs. HALIMATADIABATE. the wife of the commander of the brigade GENERAL DIABATE ABDULHAZEEZ an officer of the army or cote'D. President Laurent Gbagbo to 28 July 2010.
Nevertheless, I am writing this letter in confidence and hope that I will be a secret because I believe that God hears the prayer through several ways. Now, when my husband was alive he deposited the sum of $ 20 million with the name of my son. which is the only son. Now, my husband's brothers want to invade the property that my husband has to go. This is why I decided to ask if you can help me to invest this money in your country in secret. so that my husband and brothers Laurent Gbagbo has no record.
because I am in exile in London. Only my son and lawyer know. Please if you can help me with this problem, I think you are honest and human, God-fearing, which is not doubtful. you can email me and contact me at the address below.
Again, please keep it secret for the sake of me and my child. I'd be very grateful if you can help me to invest this money in your country sheet without previous problem. I always look forward to your emergency response
Thank you in advance
here is my phone number and my e-mail
h.diabate@yandex.com
=======================
Your phone number
Your e-mail
Your address complete
Ms. Diabate Halimata

Anti-fraud resources: