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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: philip adim <philip_a01@oi.com.br>
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:22:05 -0700
Subject: RE: CERTIFIED BANK DRAFT:

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

WITH GREAT GRATITUDE TO YOUR EFFORTS, I AM INFORMING YOU THAT I HAVE
FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN TRANSFERRING THE FIFTEEN MILLION UNITED STATES
DOLLARS TO THE BANK IN FRANCE,WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A PARAGUAY
FRIEND, WHOM BASED ON AGREEMENT, RECEIVED 25% OF THE ENTIRE MONEY FOR
HIS FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT AND EFFORTS.

PRESENTLY I HAVE RELOCATED TO SOUTH KOREA, TO ESTABLISH THE ELECTRONIC
COMPANY PROJECTS WITH MY OWN SHARE AS I HAVE EARLIER PROPOSED.
NEVERTHELESS, I CAN NOT FORGET YOU, ESPECIALLY YOUR HONEST EFFORTS,
THOUGH IT DID NOT YIELD POSITIVE FRUIT, BUT I STILL APPRECIATE IT,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MEANWHILE I HAVE A SURPRISE PACKAGE FOR YOU. CONTACT MY SECRETARY IN
NIGERIA HIS NAME IS MR. WILLIAMS ADAM ON HIS EMAIL
ADDRESS:(williams_a001@hotmail.com) I HAVE INSTRUCTED HIM TO DIRECT
YOU ON HOW YOU WOULD RECEIVE THE SUM OF ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED
UNITED STATES DOLLARS IN CHECK, WHICH I SET OUT FOR YOUR
COMPENSATION,PLEASE I WANT YOU TO ACCEPT IT IN GOOD FAITH.

I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOU DID AND I PRAY THAT WE WOULD MEET SOMEDAY,
BUT RIGHT NOW I AM TOO BUSY FOR SOMETIME,YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, SO FEEL
FREE AND GET IN TOUCHED MR WILLIAMS, ALSO NOTE THAT THE FEE THAT HE
WILL REQUIRE IS MAILING FEE THEREFORE SORT IT OUT WITH HIM AND GET
WHAT IS FOR YOU.

YOUR INFORMATION FOR DELIVERY:
1, YOUR FULL NAME
2, YOUR PHONE NUMBER
3, YOUR RESIDENCE ADDRESS

I REMAIN YOUR BOSOM FRIEND,

BEST REGARDS,
BARRISTER IAN WRIGHT

Anti-fraud resources: