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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.Ernest Brooks" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ernestbrooks@ibibo.com>
Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 12:38:37 -0500
Subject: URGENT NOTIFICATION

Good day,
 
I am contacting you once again, regarding a substantial amount of
inheritance funds belonging to my late client whom you share the same last
name with and I was wondering if you are related to him. Will forward more
information to you in this regards, in the interim, kindly forward to my
email below the following information so I can give you more information
about the estate:
 
Full names:
Physical Address:
Telephone numbers:
 
Regards,
Ernest Brooks

Anti-fraud resources: