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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: "Susan Van Der Merwe" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <dsmerwe@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 03:15:32 -0700
Subject: Re: Hello Friend

Hello,

I apologized for contacting you for the first time through email, it is because it serves as the fastest and more convenient way to get to you. I am Ms. Susan Van Der Merwe from South Africa (The Deputy Minister of International Relations). Can you please assist me to receive and invest this fund $20,000,000 USD,in your company or any business in your country?. I will give you more details and my profile as I hear from you.

Best Regard,
Ms. Susan Van Der Merwe

Anti-fraud resources: