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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: "Mr.Cliff Maxwell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cliffmaxwell1010@aim.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2010 19:19:21 +0200
Subject: Manager/Ceo

Manager/Ceo

My Name is Mr.Cliff Maxwell
I will like to invest in your country but I don't know
anybody that will help me when I come over there that
is my reason of contacting you to know if you will be
of assistance.
I have $20M dollars to invest in a profitable business
in your country.The money is right now in a an Embassy
vault in Europe.If you can handle it then let me know
so that we shall plan how to meet ourselves to workout
modalites.
I am ready to give you 25% of the money if you assist
me.
Waiting to hear from you for further information and confidentiality
please contact me on my personal email address (cliffmaxwell1010@aim.com)
with your following data: Full names,Address, Telephone number and Fax number.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,
Mr.Cliff Maxwell

Anti-fraud resources: