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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 Fletcher <johnfletch30@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <johnfletcher1960@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2007 05:01:33 -0400
Subject: From Mr.John Fletcher



MEMO: BANK OF SCOTLAND. Good day, I would want you to assist in a business venture involving £15.700,000.00 Fifteen million seven hundred thousand Pounds from employers(BANK OF SCOTLAND,LONDON) I am seeking for a reliable person who will be capable to provide either an existing bank account or set up a new or empty Bank account immediately to receive this fund. I am Mr.John Fletcher, Chief Executive of Corporate (BANK OF SCOTLAND,LONDON). An accountant and bank manager, During the course of our auditing I discovered a floating fund in a domiciliary account opened in the bank in 1997 and since 2000 nobody has operated on this account. After going through some old files, i discovered that the owner of the account who is a foreigner died without any traceable next of kin, hence this made this account to be dormant for some time now, and if I do not remit this money out urgently it will be re-channeled into the bank's reserve. You will be given 15% of the total amount, 80% will be for me,while 5% will be for expenses both parties might have incurred during the process of this transaction. I look forward to your earliest reply. Best Regard, Mr.John Fletcher.
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