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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: "Waziri Wong" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <waziriwong29@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 19:53:34 +0800
Subject: GOOD DAY

Waziri Wong & Co.
Main Office
18th Floor, Bangunan Arab-Malaysian
55 Jalan Raja Chulan
Kuala Lumpur 50200
Malaysia

Good Day,

I am Waziri Wong, an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine, that shares the same last name as yours died as the result of a heart-related condition on March 15th 2011. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his family in the tsunami disaster on the 11th March 2011 in Japan. And in the record there is no known successor to this deposit of the deceased who died without a will. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12709598) I have contacted you to assist in claiming the money left behind before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this deposit valued at Five Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ( US$ 5.300,000) is lodged.

The bank has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated. I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this email as soon as possible and treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity. I look forward to your quick reply

Best regards,

Waziri Wong,

Attorney At Law

Anti-fraud resources: