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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: "Paul Anderson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <omemma09@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:11:07 +0300
Subject: I wait your responds...

Hello Sir/Madam,

My name is Paul Anderson Esq. Financial Consultant/Attorney based in London. I write to you based on a request by an investor and his need for investment/funds transfer. My company most times represents the interests of very wealthy Investors/Individuals due to the sensitivity of the position they hold in the 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 of mine, whom I had personally worked with a few years ago when he was a Finance Minister and wants me to source for a reliable and trustworthy individual such as yourself, who will be willing to receive money on his behalf abroad, and at the same time advise on what form of investment that will be embarked with the funds when perfectly received.

The client has offered these terms: 25% commission paid to you upon receipt of the funds through the original sum to be transferred. The funds in question are $125.3Million US Dollars.

Your details will be used to have the funds evacuated and you will stand as the principle owner of the funds and will deal directly with the Finance Company without the involvement of the Investor. If these terms are agreeable to you, kindly write to my private email: panderson2@live.com and I will provide you with all necessary information and procedures involved.

Sincerely yours,
Paul Anderson ESQ (President)
P. Anderson & Associates Limited.

Anti-fraud resources: