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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: "Charles Donovan"<charles@consultant.com>
Reply-To: <diplomatkellerman@live.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2011 12:45:15 +0100
Subject: Do not delete.. contact Diplomat immediately

DEAR LUCKY WINNER,
 
THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR WINNING PRIZE OF 1 MILLION POUNDS DEMAND DRAFT HAS BEEN VERIFIED
AND NOW READY TO BE DELIVERED TO YOU IN YOUR COUNTRY. ALL THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY YOU HAS BEEN
CONFIRMED VALID AND YOU ARE TO CONTACT THE DIPLOMAT WHO IS ASSIGNED TO BRING THE WINNING AWARD TO
YOUR COUNTRY WITH YOUR NAME ADDRESS AND DIRECT MOBILE NUMBER FOR EASY CONTACT WHEN HE ARRIVES YOUR COUNTRY.
THE DIPLOMAT WILL COMMENCE DELIVERY AS SOON AS YOU CONTACT HIM WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND MOBILE NUMBER.
YOU ARE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE AVAILABLE 18,500 RUPEES FOR CUSTOM CHARGE AND ALSO SEND HIM A
VALID ID PROOF OF YOUR SELF TO HIS EMAIL. YOU ARE TO CONTACT HIM IMMEDIATELY WITH THE REQUIRED DETAILS FOR FURTHER ACTION.
 
CONTACT HIM WITH EMAIL:diplomatkellerman@live.com
 
SEND YOUR:NAME:
ADDRESS: 
DIRECT MOBILE NUMBER:
 
CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN.
CHARLES DONOVAN.


Anti-fraud resources: