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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: "Hajia Mariam" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <haj.mar1111@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:03:55 -0700
Subject: REPLY WITH YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER

Due to the sudden death of my husband General Abacha the former head of state of Nigeria , I have been thrown into a state of hopelessness by the present administration.I have lost confidence with anybody within my country. I got your contacts through personal research,and had to reach you through this medium. Due to security network placed on my daily affairs I cant visit the embassy so that is why I have contacted you.

My husband deposited $12.6 million dollars with a security firm abroad whose name is withheld for now till we communicate. I will be happy if you can receive this funds and keep it safe I assure you something good out of the funds in return for your assistance. I will need your telephone/mobile numbers so that we can commence communication.please read and reply back asap with your telephone number.


Sincerely Yours,
Hajia Mariam.
<table width="100%"><tr><td><p align="justify"><font face="arial" size="2"><b>Disclaimer:- </b> This
message (including attachments) is intended solely for
the addressee named above. It may be confidential, privileged,subject to copyright, trade secret,<br> or other legal rules and may not be forwarded without the author's permission. If you are not the addressee you must not read,copy or disseminate this message. If you<br> have received it in error please notify the sender immediately and delete the message from all storage devices. Any opinions expressed in this message do not necessarily<br> represent the official positions of Qatar Airways. Any agreements (including any warranties, representations, or offers) concluded with Qatar Airways by using electronic<br> correspondence shall only come into existence if an authorized representative of Qatar Airways has explicitly approved such contract formation.To the fullest extent<br> permissible by law, Qatar Airways disclaim all liability for loss or damage to person or property arising from this message being infected by computer virus or other<br> contamination.</font></p></TD></TR><TABLE>

Anti-fraud resources: