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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: "Marshall" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Williamsmar680@aim.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:15:08 +0200
Subject: Try and get back to me

I work with a bank here in Spain, I need your assistance in repatriating the funds left behind by a late customer that died with his entire family. Every attempt to trace any member of his family has proved unsuccessful. I will give you more information upon your response to this proposal. Email:Williamsmar680@aim.com

Regards,
Mr.Marshall Williams

Anti-fraud resources: