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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Leo Thanks <jan.jurek2@neostrada.pl>
Reply-To: leothanks@discuz.org
Date: Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:52:08 +0800
Subject: THIS EMAIL IS FOR YOU ALONE

Dear Sir/Madam,
=20
I assume that this message will reach you in good health. However, it=
's just my urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact yo=
u for this transaction. I assured you honesty and reliability to cham=
pion this business opportunity.
=20
I'm Leo Thanks, I=92m the foreign operation manager of one of the le=
ading banks here in United Kingdom. I have the opportunity of transfe=
rring the left over funds what of ($4.7 Million Pounds) from the acco=
unt of one of our bank's customer who died along with his entire fami=
ly in a plane crash.
=20
I am inviting you for this business where the money will be shared be=
tween us in the ratio of 50/50, on the acceptance of my proposal, Fur=
ther details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as i re=
ceive your return mail immediately as soon as you receive this letter=
.
Please indicate your willingness by providing the below information f=
or easy communication.
=20
Full Name..........=20
Contact address........
Tel........

Regard,

Mr Leo Thanks

Anti-fraud resources: