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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: "Mr.Yaovi A. IHOU" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <yaovia.ihou@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 20:57:02 -0800
Subject: Contact me now.

From Mr. Yaovi A. IHOU,

How Are You? I Know That This Mail May Come To You Almost A Surprise As We Never Met Before And Please Before You Proceed Reading This mail, This Is True and not A Joke, Well I Saw Your Contact Email From Togolese Chambers Of Commerce, After Much Consideration I Decided To Write You Since I Cannot Be Able To See You Face To Face For Now, At First I Strongly Believed That Any Information Received From The Chambers Of Commerce Office Is Correct And Must Be Trusted. But Never Mind, I Am from (Togo) Mr. Yaovi A. IHOU by Name, Director of International Treasury Department Director in Our Bank Here (UNION BANK OF TOGO).

I Have An Opportunity To The Sum Of Seven Million United States Dollars (US$7, 000, 000.00), To Transfer Into Your Nominated Bank Account (The Owner Of The Money) Is An. IRAQ. Who Died A Long With His Entire Family During The Iraq War, Upon Your Reply And Interest To Receive This Fund On My Behalf, I Will immediately Send You More Details On The Execution Of The Transaction. I Urge You To Take This Message Serious And With An Open Mind and Please Give It A Benefit Of Doubt, And With Good Faith And Trust I am Assuring You That You Will Never Be Disappointed. Now My Questions Are: Can You Handle This Project With Me? Can I Give You This Trust? Respond Back To Me Or Delete It Off If You Are Not Interested.

You May View The Website:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/10/11/iraq.deaths/

If You Accept This Offer To Work With Me, And You Find This Proposal Suitable For You Do Furnish Me With The Following Information.

Your Full Name...................
Your Country................
Your Private Telephone.........
Your Age and Sex..................
Your Occupation................

I Will Appreciate It Very Much, If This Proposal Is Acceptable By You, Do Not Make Undue Advantage Of The Trust I Have Bestowed On You, And I Assure You We Can Achieve It Successfully.

This Is My Private Phone Number +228 91785610 You Can Call me for more Explanation.

Respectfully
Mr.Yaovi A. IHOU

Anti-fraud resources: