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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Hon. Sam William" <officefile845@gmail.com>
Reply-To: frankmore45@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2011 18:40:01 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: REGARDING YOUR BANK DRAFT




Hello Dear

How are you? I'm Dr Sam Williams who wrote to you some time ago seeking for your assistance to transfer some funds into your account.Although we could not finish the transaction because of some little financial set-back at your end, I wish to inform you here that I have successfully transacted with a God-Given trustworthy man has helped me and my family in the timely of needs.

I wish to tell you that I and my family are successfully residing in Spain where we want to re-establish ourselves. I am using the opportunity to thank you who made intentions to help, although we couldn't finished up, and to you personally, I have written and dropped a check of $1.5,000.000.00/- for your compensation for all you have done and intentions to assist me then. This is my pure appreciation to you and I have instructed a friend in Cotonou Benin Rep to send you the cheque and a letter attached to it.


Have you received it?, reply to me so that we can discuss some other businesses in your area as i hoped to make some investment too in your area.I need your urgent reply and current phone no so that I will call you to
discuss further with you. In case you have not received the cheque, kindly contact:

Mr. Frank More
E mail : frankmore45@yahoo.com

Best regards,
Dr Sam Williams





Anti-fraud resources: