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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: "Google Board Of Directors" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <google_claims@yeah.net>
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 02:43:50 -0800
Subject: Letter From Google INC

 
Dear Google User.
 
 
 
We wish to congratulate you once again, for being among the Twelve (12) selected winners in the ongoing E-mail Electronic Online Sweepstakes; we do believe with your prize, you will continue to be active in your patronage to Google and its Products.
 
 
 
Please find attached file confidential mail award for your reference contact.
 
 
 
Congratulations from the Staffs & Members of Google Board Commission.
 
 
 
Dr David Drummond,
dr.daviddrum@email.com
Google Transfer Manager
Google United Kingdom
2014 Google Corporation.
 

Anti-fraud resources: