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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: Dianne Yak <yak.dianne@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 19:06:55 -0700
Subject: Is me dianne

Hello dear

I am Dianne, I am a young girl, i was wondering if we can be friends,
who knows may be it might grow in to some thing deep, i want a friend i
can share something with. seeing your email, I have the confidence in
contacting you. I know this mail will come to you as a surprise but
treat it with care, we can share photos, to know each other more. I hope
to hear from your respond soon.

Yours faithfully
Dianne Yak

hallo liebes

Ich bin Dianne, ich ein junges Mädchen bin, habe ich mich gefragt, ob
wir Freunde, die können es könnte wachsen in bis zu einem gewissen Sache
tief kennt, kann sein, ich will einen Freund, den ich etwas mit anderen
teilen können. Sehen Sie Ihre E-Mail habe ich das Vertrauen in Kontakt
mit Ihnen. Ich weiß, das Mail wird an Sie als eine Überraschung, sondern
behandeln sie mit Sorgfalt, können wir teilen Fotos, einander mehr zu
erfahren. Ich hoffe, von Ihrem bald antworten hören.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Dianne Yak

Anti-fraud resources: