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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.Patrick Joseph <patfj0169@msn.com>
Reply-To: mrpatrickj8@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 4 May 2012 04:01:24 +0100
Subject: Greetings From Mr.Patrick Joseph

Greetings From Mr.Patrick Joseph
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
Although you might be apprehensive about my email as we have never met before. I am Mr.Patrick Joseph,a Banker and Head of Operations with Bank here in Burkina Faso West Africa, there is the sum of $13.500,000.00 Million Dollars currently in my branch, there were no beneficiary stated concerning these funds which means no one would ever come to claim it. Can we work together?
 
I ask you can we work together, I will be pleased to work with you as trusted person and see that the fund is transferred out of my Bank into another Bank Account, Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated Bank account your shall will be 40% of the total fund, If you agree to my business proposal.further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive your return mail, sending the below information:
 
1. Full Name.
2: Your Private telephone and Fax numbers.
3. Occupations.
4. Date Of Birth
5. Country of Residence.
6.Your company's Name and Full address.
 
Awaiting your urgent reply via my confidential email: mrpatrickj8@gmail.com
 
Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible.
 
Thanks.
Mr.Patrick Joseph

Anti-fraud resources: