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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: "simon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamsimon6@skymail.mn>
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 00:43:17 +0100
Subject: urgent help

Dear friend,

I am william simon and i have been diagnosed with
Esophageal cancer .It has defied all forms of medical treatment, and
Right now, I have only about a few months to live and I want you to
Distribute my funds of fifty eighty million dollars
$58,000,000(united states dollars) to charities.
i have set aside 40% for you and your family
keep this as a secret to yourself

reply me via my private Email address below

williamsimon6@skymail.mn

call me on +44 7024076334

yours truly
simon

Anti-fraud resources: