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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: "Mrs. Esther Okpara" (may be fake)
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2011 07:57:39 -0700
Subject: Confirm

Dear

After the executive council meeting today with top government officials we are agree that all foreign contractors and lottery winner, inheritance if you are own by Federal government of Nigeria should come down here in Nigeria and sign all the necessary document for the transfer of your Fund if anybody is telling you anything apart from this do not believe them

Thanks

Mrs. Esther Okpara

Anti-fraud resources: