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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: "Issah" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <alhajiobyissah@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:53:44 +0100
Subject: REPLY ASAP

New Federal Secretariat Complex
Shehu Shagari Way,
Central Area Abuja Nigeria.

We received email this morning from Mr Bob Williams who said that he is your
brother/partner,that we should stop contacting you as you had car accident
and on sick bed. And as such your total sum should be wired to him via his
bank account in New York City. We need to get your approval for the
release of the fund to your brother/partner asap. You can also email me
via alhajiobyissah@maktoob.com ,
Best Regards
Alhaji Oby Issah

Anti-fraud resources: