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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: "Capt Michael Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cptbrown147@qq.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 14:15:59 +0700
Subject: Urgent Business Proposals From Michael Brown

Dear Beloved Friend.
My name is Captain Michael Brown, an American soldier serving in Afghanistan, I have an important matter, which I would like to discuss with you in what follows:
 
I want to bring to your notice that I have the sum of (10,500,000 Dollars) which I got from crude oil deal here in Afghanistan, I deposited this money with a Finance company here, and I have secured this money in a box before depositing it with the Finance company vault as Research materials & Personal Effects., The only thing I Require from you is just for You to help me move the money out of Afghanistan through a diplomatic means because as a uniform man I can not parade with such amount.
 
I am in need of a Reliable and Trust worthy person who will receive the cash-box, secure and protect it till my arrival in your country, which should be soon. I have to take this chance because, I have no other alternative and I am an orphan with no brother non sister, so I cannot risk my life here to avoid an end to my family lineage. All I have is my wife, my daughter and son and they deserve a decent life since I want them to grow up in a peaceful environment. I will relocate to your country with my family and invest the money in accordance with the law, your advice and assistance. We can work together and achieve a better future for our families.
 
All I ask is to permit me to move the money from the Finance Company to your country in your name as family treasure/ research materials through a diplomatic means. I will assume you are capable of handling a deal of this magnitude and also trust you to maintain absolute secrecy and confidentiality to protect this great achievement.
 
Note that I have taken precautionary measures to secure the money and the box is coded with high security gadget and am the only one that has the right combination to unlock it. I will give you 20% of the money and 80% for me. I believe this is a fair deal. I have mapped out a strategy of using Diplomatic Means to Move the money out of Afghanistan to your country. If you are interested in the deal furnish the following:
 
Your full name,
Your private phone number,
Your full address.
Age and occupation.
 
I anticipate your positive response and on receipt of your information I will provide you with further details on what to do. We don't have the luxury to waste time so kindly respond ASAP.
 
Best regards,
Michael Brown.

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