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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: "Mr. Y. Mohammed" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <yusuf_mohammed1970@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:16:59 -0800
Subject: Urgent Business Proposal

Warmest greetings,
 
I am Yusuf Mohammed, the Personal Assistant on financial matters to the Former President Mubarak of Egypt who is facing trail presently in my Country Egypt. I want you to see this as an opportunity for us to establish a very good relationship; I made away with the sum of $48 million and escaped from my country Egypt before the arrest of my Boss since these funds were in my Custody.
 
I have deposited the money in a security company in Ghana before arriving Nigeria to take a shelter. Please I want you to reply me now so I can give you more information's as we go into Partnership and how I want this funds to be invested in your country before I and my family will finally come over to your country.
 
Please I want you to keep this transaction to yourself In the event you are not interested, I sincerely ask that you disregard this email and tell no one about it as I am seriously in need of capable and honest person to conclude this with me.
Yours truly,
 
Yusuf Mohammed.

Anti-fraud resources: