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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: "Mr.John Kelly" <mr.johnk17@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: "Mr.John Kelly" <westerunion001@outlook.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 15:36:42 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Urgent Attention


 Dear Friend ,
We have concluded to effect your payment of $1.7Million, through western union, but the maximum amount you will be receiving each day starting from tomorrow is $4,500.00 daily until the funds is completely transferred.
Kindly Contact Western union Agent:MR. BEN RICHARD TEL: +22998359944E-mail:westerunion001@outlook.com
Also reconfirm your information to them below
YOUR NAME----------------------YOUR ADDRESS-----------YOUR PHONE-------------OCCUPATION-----------------
Though, I sent $4,500.00 in your name today,but MR. BEN RICHARD  said that you should contact first with your information. So contact MR. BEN RICHARD  or you call him as soon as you receive this email and tell him to give you the MTCN, sender name and question/answer to pick the $4,500.00 Please let me know as soon as you received all your funds $1.7Million,
Thank you.Mr. John Kelly

Anti-fraud resources: