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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: "MARK THOMPSON" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mar.thompson1@voila.fr>
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:16:30 -0000
Subject: From: Mr. Mark Thompson

YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!
From: Mr. Mark Thompson
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Dear Good Friend,

Compliment of the season to you I am Mr. Mark Thompson, I have a business proposal of Ten Million United States Dollars which I want you to handle with me from my bank as a beneficiary. If you are interested I shall send to you the details of the business.
Also this matter should be a confidential between you and me and please delete it if you are not interested. Thank you for your anticipated co-operation.

1. Full name:
2. Current Address:
3. Telephone N°:
4. Occupation:
5. Age:
6. Country:

Yours Truly
Mr. Mark Thompson




Anti-fraud resources: