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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: "Ola Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ola.smith101@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2011 18:12:24 -0700
Subject: CLAIM OF INHERITANCE !!! (I NEED YOUR TRUST).

Letter from Ola Smith

I Apologise for intruding into your privacy.I have a Business
proposition for you involving a huge sum of money(Eighteen
Million United State Dollars) If you will be so kind enough to
grant me the permission, I will be glad to give the
details.Please reply me back via email at :

ola.smith101@gmail.com

Regards,

Mr.Ola Smith
(External Auditor Accountant)

Anti-fraud resources: