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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: JOHN WILLIAMS <john_williams_fma@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2006 02:55:28 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Hello my good friend Amarjit


Hello my good friend Amarjit

How are you my friend, My friend why are you doing this to me. help me i have full confident in you please let put hand together and make this transaction a successfully one. please i need this money i want to get this money before i retire. i don't want to lose this fund. you have made up you mind to help me as a nice man which you are please lets complete this transaction in good faith.

All my Hope is on you please don't let me down i count on you.

Thanks

John Williams

Anti-fraud resources: