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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: "Dr.James Williams" <dr.james_williams4545@virgilio.it>
Reply-To: dr.james_williams010@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2010 18:15:11 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: From, Dr.James Williams.

From, Dr.James Williams.
After the meeting held by the member states of United
Nations,World bank and Nigeria regarding the huge debts of $10.7m owned to so
many foreigners and with special emphasis on the provision of Section 114,Sub
section 04 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,I
hereby inform you that your long overdue payment file has been verified and
confirmed okay by this payment department.To this effect,you are advice to
furnish us with the information’s below.your name/home address/your Cell Phone,
Occupation And Age,Nearest airport:
Dr.James Williams.

Anti-fraud resources: