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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: "FACEBOOK AWARD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lotteryfacebook315@yahoo.it>
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2014 13:33:41 -0700
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS FROM FACEBOOK!!!

CONGRATULATIONS FROM FACEBOOK!!!

We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded Final draws held on the (19th OF AUGUST 2014) by Facebook group in cash Promotion to encourage all Facebook users worldwide, your Name was among the 50 Lucky winners who won $600,000:00 USD. each on the Facebook group promotion Award Attached to Ticket Number (5647600545189) and Lucky Number (2551256002/244) Serial Number (55643451907).

You are required to contact our dispatch dept via email ( facebookheadoffice@linuxmail.org ) and re-confirm your Award Attached, Ticket Number, Serial Number, Full Name, Contact Address and Cell Phone Number for further instructions.

Regards,
John Cole
Promo Coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources: