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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: Online Coordinator <mrsjoyday@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: olufred20@yahoo.com.au
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 16:07:06 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Attn: Internet User




Attn: Internet User,

This is to formally inform you that your email address has been selected in this week's Online Draws from among 29 email addresses which were successful for the Grand Prize of 800,000.00 (Eight Hundred Thousand British Pounds Sterling)

Please acknowledge the receipt of this mail by contacting your claims agent, Mr. Fred Olu (olufred20@yahoo.com.au) with your winning details as follows:
 
1. Full Name,
2. Country,
3. Contact Address,
4. Telephone Number,
5. Fax Number,
6. Marital Status,
7. Occupation,
8. Date of Birth,
9. Sex,
10. Winning email.

Regards,
Online Coordinator.




Anti-fraud resources: