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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: "Mr Aaron Gillson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fbi_cyberwatch.usa@mail.mn>
Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 10:20:32 +0100
Subject: TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.
PENNSYLVANIA AVE.
ROOM 3236,
WASHINGTION DC 20535.
(202) 324-3096
PP/FD2606.

ATTENTION: DEAR

TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN...

THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE SOME INVESTIGATION GOING ON WHICH WE NEED YOU TO C0-OPERATE WITH US TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS. WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH ALL INTERNET MAIL SERVICE PROVIDERS TO FIGHT AGAINST SCAMS AND FRAUDS.

WE ARE DOING THIS JUST TO SAFE AND PREVENT YOU FROM FALLING VICTIMS OF THESE INTERNET FRAUDSTERS. WE WANT TO HELP YOU FIGHT AGAINST SCAM AND FRAUDULENT MAILS FROM GETTING ACCESS INTO YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS.

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED AN E-MAIL TELLING YOU TO MAKE SOME PAYMENT, MAILS TELLING YOU THAT YOU HAVE SOME FUNDS OR PACKAGES ESPECIALLY FROM AFRICA. PLEASE YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISED TO IGNORE SUCH MAILS.

IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED OR ABOUT TO RECEIVE SUCH MAILS, KINDLY FORWARD THEM TO US FOR PROPER INVESTIGATIONS....
YOU CAN REPLY VIA E-MAIL TO OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE
MAIL: fbi_cyberwatch.usa@mail.mn

BEST REGARDS,
Mr Aaron Gillson
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. (FBI)

Anti-fraud resources: