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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: "CPT ANTHONY" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <captanthony12@globomail.com>
Date: Sat, 25 Dec 2010 01:37:47 +0200
Subject: TOP URGENT PLEASE

Dear Friend, I am writing you after proper consideration that telephone conversation may not be Ideal medium to contact you. I got your contact through my search on the internet for a reliable person. i am In National Guard Artillery unit here in Iraq, we discovered some funds when on Routine foot patrol in Khalis Iraq at company’s compound. We can't keep these funds so we want to move the funds to you to keep it for us In your safe account. The money is legit. If you are interested get back to me for details. You may wish to confirm with this link:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm Please reply to captanthony12@globomail.com This business is risk free. Captain Anthony

Anti-fraud resources: