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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: "ALEX BURMA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <newtonmark@gazeta.pl>
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 10:42:20 -0700
Subject: Your Certified Bank Draft


Hello my good friend.

This is Alex Ikem your friend and formal business associate, I want to inform you that our multimillion dollar business has been concluded with the assistance of another partner from India who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion, and like I promised, I will never forget your great efforts, sincerity and trust worthiness you shown me during the course of the transaction.I want to show my appreciation in your past efforts by raising sum of US$1.500, 000.00 certified international bank draft payable in your name at int'l bank in the world, My dear friend I will like you to contact my Secretary in charge of my office now Mr. Mark Edward on his below direct contact for collection of your bank draft.

CONTACT: Mr. Mark Edward
Email: Newtonmark@gazeta.pl
Tel: +234-8081802556

I authorized him to release the Certified Bank Draft to you whenever you ask him for it. At this moment, I'm very busy here in India for my investment project with new partner. So please contact Mr. Mark and don't forget to send him your following information to enable him ship your bank draft to you without further delay as I instructed.Please accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart for your past effort in helping me.

Hoping to hear from you sooner as you receive your bank draftThanks and God bless you.

I wish you best of luckThank you,
Alex Burma

Anti-fraud resources: