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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: "WILLIAMS RICHARD" <williamsrichard55@ig.com.br>
Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2008 08:18:47 -0500
Subject: TRY YOUR BEST TO UPDATE HIM.


Dear Friend,


This is to thank you for your effort.I
understand that your handswere tied.Not to
worry. I have succeeded,the money has been
transfered into the account provided by a newly
found friend of mine in Australia.

To compensate for your past assistance and
commitments,i have dropped an International
Certifie Bank Draft of $1.200.000.00 for you.

I am in Australia with my family presently.I do
intend to establish some business concerns
here,and possibly buy some properties.Contact my
Secretary in Benin-Republic Mr.Kiki
on(mrkikiroymond100@yahoo.fr) Forward my mail to
him,then ask him to send the cheque to you.

NB: NOTE: BELLOW IS THE REQUIRED INFORMATIONS
YOU WILL SEND TO MY
SECRETARY.
(1) YOUR FULL NAMES
(2) YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS
(3) YOUR DIRECT CELPHONE NUMBER AND HOUSE PHONE
WITH FAX IF ANY.
(4) YOUR ID EITHER INTERNATIONAL PAS-PORT OR
DRIVING LINCES .

TRY YOUR BEST TO UPDATE HIM.

Regards,
Williams Richard.

Anti-fraud resources: