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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: "U.S HOMELAND SECURITY" <ecocash37@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: "U.S HOMELAND SECURITY" <homelnd.sec_department@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2014 22:10:16 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION


 

Tel:+1 (941) 417-1323 text SMS only
I am Mr.Jeh Charles Johnson. The secretary of the department of homeland security Washington DC,an international summit was held in West Africa with respect to this invading deadly virus "EBOLA"and it's eradication and I'm one of the officials, after the meeting I found out that your $4.5 million was abandoned here in West Africa maybe because of malpractices, so kindly reconfirm your full address, Full name, Phone number, and nearest Airport so that I shall bring your parcel to our Head Office in Washington DC and you will come and claim or we can send it to your designated address I wait for your urgent and positive respond. You can reach me on this email as well: jehcharlesjohnson14@barid.com

Anti-fraud resources: