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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: "MSgt. Mark Peterson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <captmark2hoopes@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 11:05:01 +0100
Subject: MSgt. Mark Peterson

Dear friend,
 
I am MSgt. Mark Peterson, a Master Sergeant in the U.S Army. Kindly View the BBC news article listed below. My experience and challenges serving under the U.S Army in Iraq, makes me feel diverstated, but I am very optimistic that I will not die in the battle, by the special grace of God.
 
http: //news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
 
Your prayer and friendship will be highly appreciated at this point in time of my life. To crown it all, I have some things/information’s I would like to disclose to you, but you will have to assure me that no other ears will hear it.
 
 
Waiting for your favorable response.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
MSgt. Mark Peterson

Anti-fraud resources: