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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: "FEDEX EXPRESS NIGERIA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: < foriegnp@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:30:34 -0700
Subject: Dear Valued Customer

FEDEX EXPRESS NIGERIA
Head Office: 70 International Airport Road, Mafoluku, Lagos
Tel.: +234-70-41340949
Email: foriegnp@gmail.com

Dear Valued Customer,

This is to inform you that we are in possession of a certified bank cheque of
$250,000.00 USD from the United Nations which is to be couriered to YOU.

You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the scammed victims to be paid
this Amount, get back to me as soon as possible for the immediate payments of your
$250,000.00 USD Compensations funds. Please contact us for more information.

Best regards
Jonathan Crawford
Delivery man
FedEx Express Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources: