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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: FT Fidelity <ftfidelity@outlook.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 11:55:10 +0100
Subject: =?windows-1256?Q?$10_MILLIO?= =?windows-1256?Q?N_USD_PROF?=
=?windows-1256?Q?IT_FOR_INV?= =?windows-1256?Q?ESTMENT_IN?=
=?windows-1256?Q?_YOUR_COUN?= =?windows-1256?B?VFJZ/v7+/v7+/g==?=
=?windows-1256?Q?=FE=FE?=

Dear Sir,
Naturally, this letter will come to you as a surprise since we have not met, permit me however. It is with deep sense of honor and respect that I humbly make this appeal to you with the understanding that any facts or opinion expressed in this letter is given in confidence and solely for your personal information and use. I open my arms wide to do business with you.
I'm Mr Gipson Tim
the Independent Non-executive Director of Fidelity Worldwide Investment of UK. I got your email address from the business network here in UK, and I'm assured that you are very capable and honest to transact this business with me. Few years ago, I used an unclaimed fund {$100 million USD} whose owner has died 13yrs ago and no one has come to claim the money. I secretly invest the fund in a high interest program in the Swiss bank, it ran for 7yrs and I made a profit of $10million USD. I have stopped the program and have returned the capital back to our bank now it's this $10 million USD profit I made which is in an escrow account in our bank, but I will like us to pull the interest I made from the investment and transfer it out of UK to your country. All I have to do is to name you as the beneficiary and have it transferred to any bank account of your choice.
I don't know who to contact, that's why I'm contacting you today, i will need you to partner with me and provide an account where I can wire transfer this fund and as soon as you have received it in your bank account, I will fly over to meet you. I will give you 40% of the money for your help and I will take 60% too. This is 100% risk free as I legitimately acquired the fund.
If you are interested in this transaction, please do not hesitate get back to me whit your mobile number so i can call you.
Thank you,
Awaiting your REPLY

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