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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: "=?utf-8?q?MR.WILLIAMS=20ADAMS?=" <mr.williamsa17@yahoo.in>
Reply-To: william_a2009@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 14:16:37 +0530 (IST)
Subject: VERY URGENT LETTER


I have a new email address!You can now email me at: mr.williamsa17@yahoo.in



- Dear Sir/Madam, My name is Mr. Williams Adams; I am the Accredited Financial Consultant to the Nigerian National Petroleum Co-operation {NNPC}. Please I need your assistance to transfer the sum of $55.5 Million United States Dollars into your account for safe keeping. If you are willing and capable of receiving this fund, reply with your name…. Address….. Tel/Fax……Your Bank Details……Age & Marital Status……. Get back to me for more details. Thanks, Mr. Williams Adams


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