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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: Thomas Smith <barrthomassmith14@msn.com>
Reply-To: <barrthomasmith@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:44:59 +0000
Subject: YOU HAVE 1 NEW MESSAGE




NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Dr Jeremy Lawther , I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter returned undelivered. Late Dr Jeremy Lawther left the sum of seventeen Millionfive hundred thousand United States Dollars ($17,500,000.00 USD) to you in the codicil and last testament to his WILL.

This may sound unbelievable to you, but it is true. He must have been in contact with you in the past or you were recommended to him by one of his numerous friends who wished you good. He was a member of numerous organizations.

Please give your response to this email via barrthomasmith@gmail.com

Yours in Service,
Barrister Thomas Smith

Anti-fraud resources: