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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: "Jonathan Archer" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jarcher66@live.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:41:31 -0000
Subject: Please reply to this email address for more details; jarcher77@live.com

This is for your attention.

I understand that though the Internet is not the best way to send you
this, because of the confidentiality which my proposal demands. However, I have already sent you this same letter one month ago, but I am not sure if it did get to you since I have not heard from you, hence I am constrain to reach you through the Internet.

I wish to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the
total sum of (Four million Six hundred thousand British Pounds) in the
codicil and last testament of the deceased (names now withheld since
this is our second letter to you). I contacted you because you bear the
same surname identity and therefore can present you as the beneficiary
to the inheritance funds. I therefore reckoned that you could receive these funds as you are qualified by your name identity as all the legal papers will be processed in your acceptance. In your acceptance of this deal, I humbly request that you kindly forward to me your letter of acceptance with your full names, your current telephone and fax numbers and a forwarding address,your present occupation to enable us file necessary documents at our high court probate division for the release of this sum of money to you.

Please indicate your interest immediately for us to proceed. I will
provide you with full details of this transaction upon receipt of your
reply towards this proposal.

Yours faithfully,
Jonathan Archer.
jarcher66@lawyer.com

Anti-fraud resources: