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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: Ian Godfrey <iangodfrey@web2mail.com>
Reply-To: goodiang@aol.com
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:48:50 -0300
Subject:


--
Dear Friend

Good day, this is a personal email directed to you for your consideration
alone, I request that it remain and be treated as such only.

I have an interesting business proposal for you that will be of immense
benefit to both of us. Although this may be hard for you to believe, we
stand to gain a huge amount of money at the end of the transaction.
Please grant me the benefit of doubt and hear me out. I need you to
signify your interest by replying to this email.

Most importantly, I will need you to promise to keep whatever you learn
from
me between us even if you decide not to go along with me. I will make more
details available to you on receipt of a positive response from you.

You can send your response to my personal email address:

( goodiang@aol.com )

Warm regards from me again.

Best Regards
Ian Godfrey

Anti-fraud resources: