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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: "sgtoscarbrw" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <sgtoscarbrw9@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 03:00:45 -0700
Subject: DESPERATE NEED FOR ASSISTANCE

HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? HOPE ALL IS WELL.

MY NAME IS STAFF SGT OSCAR BROWN ; I AM AN AMERICAN SOLDIER, SERVING IN THE
MILITARY WITH THE ARMY'S 3RD INFANTRY DIVISION WITH A VERY DESPERATE NEED
FOR ASSISTANCE, I HAVE SUMMED UP COURAGE TO CONTACT YOU.I HONESTLY WANT THIS
MATTER TO BE RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY,PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH
MY PRIVATE E-MAIL ADDRESS WHICH IS MY ONLY WAY OF COMMUNICATION:
sgtoscarbrw9@aol.com GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

SGT OSCAR BROWN

Anti-fraud resources: