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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: "Mikail Chow" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <d.gate1998@yandex.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Jul 2016 12:56:17 -0700
Subject: Reply

Dear ,

I am mikail chow,a Banker. A deceased client of mine, that bears same last name with you,died as a result of a heart-related condition on March 12th 2007. His heart condition leading to his death was due to death of all members of his family in tsunami disaster in Sumatra, Indonesia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake

I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives over years now. You can get back to me on my email with your full names and contact address, email address and telephone number for more information as my late client left behind a deposit of $10,500,000.00 Million Dollars with my bank and i will love to present you to my bank as his next of of kin and the beneficiary to his estate.

Best Regards,

mikail.

Anti-fraud resources: