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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 Tan Wong" <info@hangsengbank.com.hk>
Reply-To: wmrtan@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2010 08:49:26 +0800
Subject: Confidential Business Proposal

I am Mr.Tan Wong director of operations, Hang Seng Bank, Hong Kong.I have urgent and
very confidential business proposition involving transfer of ($26,500,000.00) that will
be of great benefit for both of us. I will give you more details as regards this
transaction as soon as you notify me of your interest. Awaiting your urgent reply via
my email address (mrtanwong10@yahoo.com) which is my confidential email address.

Regards,
Mr.Tan Wong.

Anti-fraud resources: