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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. Paul Phillips" <claims_agentpaulphillips@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 17:09:21 +0100 (BST)
Subject: YOU ARE REALLY A WINNER


Hello Baldith Willoughby ,

Top of the day to you, is me your claim agent, Paul Phillips. I will like to inform you that you have been cleared the winner of this lottery, so there is no doubt about it ok. So i will advise you to go on to claim your prize.You are really a winner of this promo.

Best Regards,
Paul phillips.

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources: