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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: "simon william" <williamsimon555@yahoo.com.cn>
Reply-To: williamsimon555@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2010 15:11:43 -0200
Subject: Charity

Dear Friend,
I am William simon , i decided to contact you alone directly. I have been
diagnosed with Esophageal cancer .It has defied all forms of medical
treatment, and right now, I have only about a few months to live according
to
medical expert and I want you to Distribute my funds eighteen million
dollars ($18,000,000 united states dollars) to charities in your country
since my close friends and relatives betray the trust i have for them.i have
set aside 20% for you and your family.


Anti-fraud resources: