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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: Mellisa <jerzy.gzik@neostrada.pl>
Reply-To: jaymchenry_llp@gmx.com
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:01:16 +0800
Subject: <Hello>

Hello
My name is Mrs. Mellisa Lewis am going on a cancer surgery today.contact my lawyer,
Tell him that I have WILLED 14.258M to you for the good work of the lord. quoting my
personal reference number JJ/MMS/953/5015/GwrI/316us/uk. I have paid for the state
tax on this money to be transferred to you. My lawyer's Name: Barrister Jay Mchenry
Email: jaymchenry_llp@gmx.com
TEL:+44-70-3186-2688
God bless
Mellisa Lewis.

Anti-fraud resources: