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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: Meliza Andrea <andre.logan@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: melizaandrea_004@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 19:24:39 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Re Respond


Dear Friend,
 
I am Mrs.Meliza Andrea an aging widow suffering from long time illness,(Cancer).I have some funds I inherited from my late husband, the sum of (US$50,000.00)FIFTY Million Dollars, and I needed a very honest and God fearing person that will use the fund for God's work to help the Charity and the less privileged out there and i have mapped out $5,200.000.00 for your personal use in this work.
 
Please if you would be able to use the funds for the Lord's work,kindly reply for further details.
 
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Meliza Andrea
 

Anti-fraud resources: