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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: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:40:04 +0200
Subject: MONEY SENT


Attn: Please=0AYour Price of ( US$2.5Million Dollars ) directed in cash and=
accredited to file KTU/9023118308 has been successful sending to you throw=
United state parcel Express since i waited to hear from you and due to wro=
ng information Submitted during initial transaction process, your therefore=
required to stop them now and send your rightful significant information w=
hich you intend to use for the delivery, and the$185 is there security keep=
ing so far pending on how earlier you contact them, any other fee has been =
taking care off,=0AE-mail the United state parcel Express Company with your=
significant information e:g=0AYour Full Name...., Home Address....,=0APhon=
e #...., Occupation..., Age... ID Identity......=0AAnd also there balance o=
f $185 remain security keeping so far.=0ATo ensure that we resolve this pro=
blem now, endeavor to email ( emergencymail_express@yahoo.co.nz ).=0AContac=
t Mr. Fafa Maxwell (Delivery Department Managing Director Benin)=0AE-mail: =
( emergencymail_express@yahoo.co.nz )=0ATelephone:+229-93892879,=0AIn addic=
tion to what I said earlier, Be total courage and don't be misconceived by =
anybody, Again put the file Registration N=C2=B0 (LG-14160) somewhere on th=
e subject line, then follow the brief description of this e-mail, if you do=
n't put your request N=C2=B0 it may not be acknowledged. Secondly don't all=
ow the Company to know the content were money to avoid losing it, the Money=
is sealed and secured with (METAL BOX) as family gift Also interest you to=
know that a letter is also added to it, So to be very sure and E-mail the =
right person as directed. Best of luck as you spend your good fortune.=0AYo=
urs in Service,=0ABarr.Joseph Lim

Anti-fraud resources: