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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: mo707es@netscape.net
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:22:03 -0400
Subject: Re: Reply

Dear VICTIMNAME,

Thanks for your response; I am really delighted to hear from you. I want you to know that this project will not cost you anything, the only expenses required is for the paper works, which I will be taking care of from this end. My attorney who is aware of this deal would prepare all the necessary paper works.

I want to notify you that these funds will not be transferred to your account directly because of security reasons, and the volume involved, so I have devised a means for the funds to be paid out through our foreign vetting center in Europe. This way you have the option of receiving the Funds in cash or whichever way you desire. The necessary documents will be sent to you to make contact with our vetting center in other to make the claims. All paper works are authentic and would be approved by the director of foreign payment for the funds to be paid out to you.

However, before we proceed I need to know you a little better; I will want you to send me a copy of a resent photograph to be aware of who I am dealing with. I will not be giving you my direct phone contact at the moment because I don't want you to call me directly because of security reasons but I will be calling you. If you have any questions regarding this project do not hesitate to ask me, I will be willing to respond to them . This project is my lifeline and I intend to retire to America as soon as this project is concluded so I need someone who is very willing to follow-up to enable us achieve this mission.

Thanks once again for the time as I look forward to your earliest response.

Warm regards,

Belo!

Anti-fraud resources: