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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: "Mr. Kelvin James" <faith_william1@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr. Kelvin James" <u26724@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2015 22:51:51 +0900 (JST)
Subject: MTCN: 882-774-44


 Good Day

This is very urgent Our Operation manager has sent your first payment of
$4,500.00 to you. Here is what we needed from you to complete the transfer,
Your Name, Your Address ID CARD COPY and Your Telephone Number: Noted That Only
Fee Request from You Is for Reactivate Transfer Files Sum Of $96 Only, No More
Fee again after that.

STOP DELAYING THIS FUND HERE.
Send this needed fee $96.00 now through Western Union or MONEY GRAM OFFICE with the information
below:

RECEIVER NAME:...... Alex Nwa
COUNTRY:........Republic of Benin.
CITY :..............Cotonou.
Test Question……WHEN
Test Answer……….NOW
Amount……..$96

Western Union Agent: Mrs. Femi William
Direct phone line is: +229-98763309


Bellow is your first payment for $4,500usd sent today and noted that your 2 digit number will give to you once you contact Mrs. Femi William with the payment of $96 for the Re-activation of your MTCN number.
Sender Name: Edwin Manafa
MTCN: 882-774-44
Amount: $4,500

Best Regards,
Mr. Kelvin James

Anti-fraud resources: