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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: "CATHIE HU TING" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tanyuphuongesq@aim.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:24:34 +0700
Subject: Charity Donation


Good Day

I got your details after an extensive on-line search Via (Network
Power Charitable Trust) for a reliable person,I'm Mrs.Cathie Hu,a 62
years old dying woman who was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years ago,I
have decided to donate ($10,500,000.00) to you for charitable
goals.Contact my lawyer if you are interested in carrying out this
task, so that he can arrange the release of the funds to you. Name:
Barrister Tan Yu Phuong Esq: E-mail (tanyuphuonge@yahoo.com.hk)


Yours Sincerely,
Cathie Hu.

Anti-fraud resources: