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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: <abakah@unfpa.org>
Reply-To: claimsdirector777@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:20:16 -0700
Subject: Ref: CLUK/475061725



We are delighted to inform you that your EMAIL Account has won you
500,000 GBP from the City Lotto program held in London.
You are to contact the claims director with the following:
Ref: CLUK/475061725,
Batch: 7056490902/188 and
Serial Number: 7917/06
Contact: Mr. David Newton
Email:mrdavidnewton3337@live.com
Telephone::+44 7035 976 727
Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Ian William

Anti-fraud resources: