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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 Wright" <revm.smith2maggy@gmail.com>
Reply-To: inter.switch.swift@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2020 00:49:00 +0100
Subject: Payment

Attn: Beneficiary,

We have received an official letter regarding the release of your approved fund of US$ 1.2 million dollars part payment. We are very sorry for the unnecessary delay by corrupt officials who has been trying to divert all inheritances into their private account for their own selfish interest, to make everything fast and easy we have decided to release your funds through our ATM Swift Card Payment System or your funds can also be transferred by Key Tested Telex (K.T.T) Wire Transfer through Bank to Bank Account (Swift System), This is to enable you receive your fund conveniently.

Kindly provide details below:

(1) Full Names:
(2) Complete Address:
(3) Nationality:
(4) Direct Phone Number:
(5) Preferred Currency:

Yours Faithfully,
John Wright

Anti-fraud resources: