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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: "Dr Frank Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drfrankjohnson2@sify.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:33:14 +0100
Subject: From The Desk Of Dr Frank Johnson-,

>From The Desk Of Dr Frank Johnson. Director Inter-switch Unit. Direct Tel:+234-807_054_0659 Attention Beneficiary, Based on our investigation of your payment, we want to find out if you're still alive or did you sign any deed of assignment with (Grace Jackson) to receive your fund,reply to us with: Your Names: Your Home/Office Address: Your Phone # Your Occupation: Your Age/Sex: This is because $8.6 Million has been approved in your favor for payment so get the above information to us fast unfailingly today or your fund will be released to Mrs. Grace Jackson. Best Regards, Dr Frank Johnson Dr Frank Johnson +234-807_054_0659 Chairman, Investigation and Debt Settlement Committee

Anti-fraud resources: