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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS DARLENE KING" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tomrichard001@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2011 18:05:21 -0500
Subject: Dear E-mail Owner

Dear E-mail Owner,
 
Finally, your email address has brought you an unexpected luck. You won$1,300,000 (One Million Three Hundred Thousand United State of America Dollars).
 
I have authorized my personal secretary Mr. Tom Richard where I deposited the money with to issue you international certified bank draft, cashable cheque at your bank or anywhere as choice felt. 
 
Contact Mr. Tom Richard for the collection of this international certified bank draft.
 
His name and contact address is as follows:
Name:   Mr. Tom Richard
Email:  tomrichard001@gmail.com
Tel  :  +2348023865471
 
To avoid further delays with your transaction you are advice to fill in the receiver's information below.
 
Receivers Information:....................
Receivers Full Name:......................
Receivers Contact Address:................
Receivers Reachable Phone Number:.........
Age:......................................
Occupation:...............................
Nationality:..............................
 
Do fill in the above information to enable us proceed with your delivery.
 
Best Regards.
Mrs. Darlene King

Anti-fraud resources: