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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: "Bill Wardarms" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sam.arieldr@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:32:55 -0000
Subject: CONTACT DR SAM ARIEL

Sarturday March 13th, 2010
 
 
CONTACT DR SAM ARIEL
 
 
We deemed it necessary to inform you of your prize fund of $500,000.00(USD) won in our Email Lottery Ballot - World Gaming Board Sweepstakes Program held on Sarturday March 13th, 2010
 
 
You are advised to contact our Claims Department through the below information
 
 
FOREIGN SERVICE MANAGER:DR SAM ARIEL
ECO CLAIMS DEPARTMENT.
TEL: +234-80-2250-4037. FAX: +234-847-306-33.
Email: sam.arieldr@gmail.com
 
 
Faithfully yours,
Bill Wardarms
Public Relation Officer

Anti-fraud resources: