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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: "Sgt James Thode" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sgtjamesthoda2@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 10:31:48 -0400
Subject: HELLO

Good Day, Compliment of the day, I am Sgt.James Thode army officer working with UN for Terrorist and peace keeping. I am contacting you in good faith regarding the money I succeeded in moving out from Iraq peace keeping mission. This fund was discovered concealed in barrels with piles of weapons and ammunition at a location situated close to Saddam Hussein’s old palaces during our rescue operation. I will disclose to you where and how to secure the money as soon as you indicate your interest, the money will be invested in any profitable business in your country, visit the web page http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm It will be my joy to share the fortune Eleven Million, Five Hundred thousand United States dollars) which was safely moved and deposited with Finance security company . I need a capable trustee to handle the claims for me for investment in your country which will be 50/50% sharing. I want the fund to be retrieve from the Finance house within this very month and I will appreciate to have a communications with you via email as soon as possible, enable to send your mobile number, contact address, occupations and country of origin. Best Regards Sgt.James Thode

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