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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: "Bill Gates" <billwgates@att.net>
Reply-To: <billwgates@live.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:06:16 +0100
Subject: FROM: BILL GATES (cash payment)

FROM: BILL GATES (cash payment)
RE: FUNDS RELEASE

This is to officially inform you that your E-MAIL ACCOUNT is active online and has been selected as the 2011 Winner of Microsoft Online Lottery draw conducted by Microsoft promotion Team in Nigeria,West Africa.

However,You have been approved for a total pay out of $USD10,000,000.00 (TEN MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLAR) Only.To speedy processing of your claims, include the following as stated below:

(1) Full Name
(2) Telephone number
(3) Sex
(4) Occupation
(5) Age
(6) Home or office Address

With Best Regards,
Bill Gates.
Chairman/CEO Microsoft Corporation.

Anti-fraud resources: