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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: BMW AUTOMOBILE COMPANY <mitchell@pacific.net.sg>
Reply-To: claims321@w.cn
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:58:02 +0800
Subject:



This is to bring to your notice that your email have been awarded a
grand prize
of 1,000,000.00 GBP and a Brand New BMW X6 car in the on going BMW AUTOMOBILE
LOTTERY PROGRAM 2010,to claim your prize contact the claims agent Mr.Evan
Richard : Contact him Via E-mail: claims321@w.cn
You are also advised to provide him with the under listed information below:

Name.....
Country......
Age.......
Occupation......
Phone.....
Resident Address.......
Sex......
Annual Income.....

Yours Sincerely,
Ms Mitchell
(Program Co-ordinator.)


Anti-fraud resources: