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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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Fraud email example:

From: "MR. FRANK CHANG" <frank@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: chanfrank5@netscape.net
Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 17:04:22 +0200
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE

Sir/Madam,
We are group of business men who deal on raw materials and export into America Canada and Europe. We are searching for representatives who can help us establish a medium of getting to our customers in the America /Canada and Europe as well as making payments through you to us.
Please if you are interested in transacting business with us we will be very glad, Please contact us for more information on my private email box: frank_chang@japan.com
Subject to your satisfaction you will be given the opportunity to negotiate your mode of which we will pay for your services as our representative in America/Canada & Europe. Please if you are interested forward to us your phone number and your full contact address to this company.
God Bless. Thanks,
Vice President
Mr.Frank Chang.


Anti-fraud resources: