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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: "charles Adams" <charlesadams1@klikni.cz>
Reply-To: mr.charlesadams@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 11:28:39 -0700
Subject: Hello Dear,


Hello Dear,

I am Mr. Charles Adams, the personal account manager to Mr. Collins, I
am Compelled to write you this email for the following reason:-The above
named Person, who is now deceased, has a deposit of (US$8.5Million) in
his Account. This money was willed to someone that bears the same name
like Yours.

The truth is that, l do not know if you are the beneficiary or not. For
three years now, l have tried effortlessly to locate the name on the
will without success hence l have contacted you. Can you please get back
to me urgently if you think you are the one? You can still get back to
me if you desire further explanation.

Please do not forget to include your full name, confidential
Telephone/fax numbers and your full residential address. I look forward
hearing From you because we can still do business.

Kind regards,
Mr. Charles Adams.

NOTE: You don't have to be a blood relative of late Collins to claim
this inheritance. Reach me immediately by e-mail so that I can give you
further details.

Anti-fraud resources: