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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Lady Amanda Williams" <awilliams077@london.com>
Reply-To: awilliams077@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2010 21:38:16 -0100
Subject: Indicate Interest.

Dear Friend,
I am Lady Amanda Williams and i am suffering from cancerous ailment.I was
married to Sir Richard Williams an Englishman who has passed on.Our life
together as man and wife lasted for three decades without child,because of
this My husband and I made a vow to uplift the down-trodden and the less-
privileged individuals as he had passion for persons who can not help
themselves due to physical disability or financial predicament.When my late
husband was alive he deposited the savings which were derived from his vast
estates and investment in capital market with his bank here in UK.Recently,
my doctor told me that I have limited days to live due to the cancerous
problems I am suffering from. Though what bothers me most is the stroke that
I have in addition to the cancer. With this hard reality that has befallen
my family and me I have decided to donate this fund to you and want you to
use this gift to fund the upkeep of widowers, orphans, the down-trodden, and
persons who prove to be genuinely handicapped financially and build a
foundation with ou name.As soon as i receive your reply I shall give you the
contact of the bank in UK. I will also issue you a Letter of Authority from
my attorney that will empower you as the original beneficiary of this
money.Please assure me that you will act just as I have stated herein, You
can contact email address: awilliams077@gmail.com

Lady Amanda Williams.

Anti-fraud resources: