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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: "Mr.Thomas Samuel." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sam4thomas82@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:27:25 -0700
Subject: KEEN TO HELP

Dear Beloved in Christ,
I am Mr.Thomas Samuel, the first son of late Thomas S. Mrs. she died in the Belleview plane crash.October 2005., I have some funds I inherited from my late mother, the sum of $15,000,000.00 United States Dollars presently with a security company and I need a very honest and God fearing Christian/Muslim that will use the fund for God's work, I found your email address from the internet after series of prayers and consultation to God Almighty and I decided to contact you.
Please if you would be able to use the funds for the Lord's work, kindly reply me back with your information at my private e-mail:sam2thomas@yahoo.com.ph
Thanks and God bless you,
Yours in Christ,
Mr.Thomas Samuel.

Anti-fraud resources: