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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: Russell Gell <rgell90@msn.com>
Reply-To: <russellgell006@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:31:48 +0000
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT I NEED YOUR URGENT RESPONSE!!!! RESPONSE!!!! Ref
: ABY/NRI-ACCT/7878256589/90-08 ( From Russell Gell )


Ref: ABY/NRI-ACCT/7878256589/90-08
My Name is Mr. Russell Gell

I am the auditor and head of computing department of a bank here in United Kingdom.

There is an account opened in this bank in 1990 and since my inception into office in 2002, nobody has operated on this account again. The last operation in the acct was in 2001. I took the courage to look for a reliable and honest person who will be capable for this important transaction. In order to transfer out ₤4,000,000.00 (Four Million Pounds Sterling).

After going through some old files, I discovered that if i do not remit this money out urgently, it will be forfeited for nothing.

Please respond immediately I will use my position and influence to effect the legal approval and onward transfer of this fund into your account with appropriate clearance from foreign payment department. You will stand to get 40% while 60% will be for me.

Kindly quote the reference (acct) numbers above when responding to this mail .

I will fill you in with further details upon your reply.

Thanks and God bless.
Sincerely yours,
Mr. Russell Gell
Direct Tel No :+447031977967

Anti-fraud resources: