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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: ACCOUNT UPGRADE <officedesk@skymail.mn>
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:48:55 +0530 (IST)
Subject: UPGRADE YOUR ACCOUNT NOW!


Dear Customer!

We are currently upgrading our database and all email account users need to be verified. To continue your account activation with us, you are required to reply to this message and enter correctly the information's that is required from you.

Fill in your User Name and Password below and you are required to reply to this e-mail within 48 hours. Failure to get back to us, your email account will be de-activated from our database.

Username:
Password:
reconfirm Password:
Alternative Email Address:

Thank you for your understanding,
customer care desk.

Anti-fraud resources: