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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. Alfred Green" <alfredgreen@zwallet.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2005 15:01:41 +0200
Subject: Good day to you!!!!!


I am Mr. Alfred Green, an attorney at law. A
deceased client of mine, by name Mr,Sims, who
herein after shall be referred to as my client, died
as the result of an auto car accident in Africa.

I am contacting you to help assist me in ensuring
that the funds lodged by my client with his Financial
and Security Firm is not decleared unclaimed hence
my reason for this contact to you.

This Financial Firm has issued me a notice to contact
the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to
present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my
late client,so that the proceeds of this account can
be paid to you,Then we can share the amount on a
mutually agreed-upon percentage.

All legal documents to back up your claim as my
client's next-of-kin will be provided. All I require
is your honest cooperation to enable us see this
transaction through.

This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the law. If
this business proposition offends your moral values,do
accept my apology,and ignore this mail.

However if you are willing to assist me in this venture
i will establish a verbal telephone communication with you
and bring you into a much better picture of the situation.

Best Regards,


Barr: Alfred Green

Anti-fraud resources: