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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. Richard Tao" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.richardtao2010@yahoo.com.cn>
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 05:39:58 -0700
Subject: UNCLAIMED INSURANCE POLICY


This letter is written to you based on contact information I came across while searching for investment options overseas. My name is Richard Tao,
and I work for an insurance company here in Malaysia. Last month, I and my colleague discovered three unclaimed policies for very large sums of money
to be paid out as premium for the expatriate quota of an oil servicing company that was closed due to government policy eight years ago and does
not exist anymore, the policies has matured and ready to be paid out.

For us to claim this money, we need a foreigner who we can file a claim on this policy using details and information we will supply. Should you
accept, we are willing to split the funds three ways, with each of us having an equal share. Once you file the claim, we will do the rest for
you on the inside and get the payment issued in your name.

Should you be interested, let me know at the email address below with your

Full name:

Address:

Age:

Occupation:

Marital statue:

and telephone number and fax included for proper vital documentations and discussions.

I will also provide you with full working details of this transaction.

Kindly copy a response to:

Email: mr.richardtao2010@yahoo.com.cn

Yours truly,

Mr. Richard Tao

This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential and
privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient,
please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this
e-mail and destroy any copies. Any dissemination or use of this
information by a person other than the intended recipient is
unauthorized and may be illegal.

Anti-fraud resources: