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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: s_sull034@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:30:47 +0700
Subject: CONFIRM TO ME

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Sandy Sullivan, an official of a financial institution. I need your
assistance as a partner in a financial transaction opportunity currently
open in the department where I work. This opportunity holds immense
prospect of financial benefit to both of us if we seize the opportunity. For
further details contact me as soon as possible.

Sandy Sullivan

Anti-fraud resources: