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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: SCHOOLS GRANT <edugrantsafrica@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2015 12:13:37 +0100
Subject: IN VESTOR

Attention please

I write to you based on a request by an investor and his need for
Investment/funding in your country. My name is Fred Harris, a financial
consultant.
I most times represent the interests of very wealthy investors. Due to the
sensitivity of the position they hold in their society and the unstable
investment environment of their country, they evacuate majority of their
funds into more stable economies and developed nations where they can get
good yield for their money.
I was recently approached by a Reserved Client, whom I had personally
worked with a few years ago with a proposal. What he request is an
individual who will be willing to receive money on his behalf abroad, and
put it to good use for a period not exceeding 6 years for a start.
The client has offered these terms:

1. 10% commission paid to me and my foreign partner of the total funds
successfully evacuated. The funds in question are over 10 Million Us
Dollars.
2. The funds will be used by the foreign partner for six years as a loan
without any interest. That is, you do not pay any interest on the money but
you give the client 50% of all profits after tax that accrued from the use
of the funds.

If these terms are agreeable to you, kindly let me know and I will provide
you with all necessary information and procedures involved. do reply me
through my private email:
fred999harris@yahoo.com

Sincerely yours,
FRED HARRIS
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

Anti-fraud resources: