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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: "WILLIAM COLGATE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamcollgate@live.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:21:02 -0800
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION!!! (http://www.exxonmobil.com)

URGENT ATTENTION!!! (http://www.exxonmobil.com)
 
 
Hello ,
 
 
I am Mr.William Colgate II with ExxonMobil Corporation London.
(http://www.exxonmobil.com) I have a sensitive and private brief
from the Senior Executives of  this top oil company in need of your
partnership to re-profile funds amounting to US$12.2M (Twelve Million
Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).
 
 
I will let you have the details, but in summary, the fund would be paid
to you through a Finance Company where it is presently deposited as
soon as the filing and documentation process is concluded in your name.
 
 
This is a legitimate transaction without government interference and
you shall be compensated with 20% of the total sum,should you and your
company agrees to work with us also know that whatever little expenses
you will spend during this transaction you will get back immediately
when the deal is done. If you are interested, please reply for
further details.
 
 
Contact me on my e-mail address:
williamcollgate@live.com
Tel:+447035960049
 
 
Regards,
Mr. William Colgate II

Anti-fraud resources: