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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: "Mrs. Linda Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <davidyoung002@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2012 11:06:45 +1000
Subject: CONTACT MY SECRETARY MR DAVID YOUNG

Dear friend,
 
I am very happy to inform you about my success in transferred that fund $185. Million Dollars now; I want you to contact my secretary on the information below:
 
NAME; Mr. David Young
EMAIL: davidyoung002@yahoo.com.ph
 
Ask him to send you the total sum of ($5.5 Million United State Dollars) Five million Five hundred thousand United State Dollars in a bank draft,for your share which I kept for your compensation.
 
So feel free to contact him with your information below avoid wrong delivery,
 
Full Name:
Home Address:
Occupation:
Cell Phone
Country:
Age:
 
Please contact him with this information above for the registration of the bank draft. Thanks for your help and I will stop here again. You let me know immediately you receive it. I am waiting for the good news from you.
 
Regards,
Mrs. Linda Johnson

Anti-fraud resources: