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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.Edem" <davwills03@att.net>
Reply-To: <myprivate1010@freenet.de>
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:26:35 +0100
Subject: kindly respond soon

Dear sir

I am Mr. Gaheart Edem, I work with Barclays Bank , There is information I think might interest you. First of all, I do not know if I am talking to the right person, But I will like you to confirm if you are the owner of this email ID. Already I have your name and details in our file in the office, but somehow I am not comfortable and too sure that I am communicating with the right owner of this email.

That is why I did not mention your Name, if you can prove that you are the owner of this email ID, then I will furnish you with the information that I have for you, when I am convinced I am talking to the right person and will proceed with you.

I am taking this preventive measure because I do not want to talk to the wrong person because of the sensitivity of the information regarding the issue.

Other details will be forwarded to you as soon as I am convinced that I am communicating with the right person.

Am looking forward to receiving your response.

THANKS

Mr. Gaheart Edem.

Anti-fraud resources: