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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: "Mrs. Susan Wilkings" <mrs.susanwilkings@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2008 09:14:31 -0800 (PST)
Subject: UREGENT HELP NEEDED


Good Day,
I am Mrs. Susan Wilkings from Nigeria... I lost my husband to a terrible accident some couple of years ago, I have no money and I have now decided to open a charity organisation by building a house to carry out this task.. I ask for your help becuase when it is completed and profit is made....

Waiting for your reply and cooperation... Thank you..

Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Susan Wilkings.

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Anti-fraud resources: