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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: trewry protesky <attorney_trewry@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2006 08:49:45 +0100 (BST)
Subject: GET BACK ASAP


ATTN: PASTOR ISED,

GOOD DAY TO YOU. HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY. AM IN RECEIPT OF YOUR MAIL AND WELL UNDERSTOOD.

AS REGARDS THE FORM FILLED, IT WAS CLEARLY TICKED THAT SHE WAS NOT A CATHOLIC SO I WONDER WHERE YOU GOT THE INFORMATION THAT SHE IS. MORESO, AS REGARDS HER CONTACT ADDRESS, YES THAT IS HER CORRECT ADDRESS.

I URGE YOU TO GO THROUGH THE FORM AGAIN AND GET BACK TO ME SOONEST AS REGARDS THE REQUIREMENT FOR PROPER DOCUMENTATION TO BE CARRIED OUT.

I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOONEST AND REALLY DO HOPE WE WORK HAND IN HAND FOR THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER OF FUNDS INTO YOUR POSSESSION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CLEARIFY ANY ISSUE THAT IS NOT WELL UNDERSTOOD.

DO HAVE A NICE DAY.

BARR. TREWRY


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