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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. Mariam Abdel Younes" <seekingforhelp@postafiok.hu>
Reply-To: mariamghaziabdel@postafiok.hu
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:32:53 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Please I Need Your Assistance!!!




Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am writing this mail with tears and sorrow to seek for your assistance regards to my situation since the death of my parents, I know this letter might come to you as a surprise because we have not met each other or see face to face before. My name is Mariam Abdel Fattah Younes; from Benghazi – Libya, 24 yrs old female. Presently I am seeking asylum in a private charity organization under St Paul’s Catholic Church, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

My father of blessed memory by name late General Abdel Fattah Younes who was shot death by Islamist-linked militia within the anti-Gaddafi forces on 28th July, 2011 and my mother died after she gives birth to me. You can find more of my story through the BBC/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14336122

After the burial of my father, I was living with my Step-Mother who have conspired all my father's property and live nothing, but when she discovered the ($7.6 USD Million Dollars) my father deposited in my name in one of the banks in Burkina Faso she start threaten to kill me and have the money alone with her two sons. I ran down to Burkina Faso to withdraw the money and take of myself.

On my arrival, the branch manager of the bank whom I met in person said because of my step-mother and condition I am passing through, he advised me to look for a foreign trustee who will help me and invest the money in overseas. So I am seeking for your assistance to help me claim the fund and transfer into your bank account and You will also help me to a place were the money will be establish into a more profitable business venture in your Country. It is my intention to compensate you with 30% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my capital investment in your country through your help.

I would like to know more about you and your experience in business since you will be the one to invest the money. We need to know each other better for more trust and understand between both of us.

Therefore, reply me if you are interesting in helping me, I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely. Please do keep this only to your self. I beg you not to disclose it to anybody until the money transferred into your bank account and then I will come over to your country, as I am talking to you now my wicked Step-mother don't know that I am here in Burkina Faso.

I am waiting to hear from you urgently.
Yours Sincerely,
Miss. Mariam Abdel Younes.


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