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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: "Mr.John Thomas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jonathan_oong1971@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 11 May 2012 20:23:45 -0700
Subject: Attention: 11/05/12

Attention: Beneficiary

After the ECOWAS Office today,a raffle draw has given US$8.3 Million to three (3) active internet users. We are glad to announce to you that you were lucky to be one of the users who emerged as a Beneficiary with your WINNING NUMBER: ECWS09788 and your Fiducairy agent Mr. Jonathan Ong have been assigned to assist you in claiming your winnings fund as soon as possible and will be released to you in record time.

You are therefore to contact Mr. Jonathan Ong on the email address jonathan_oong1971@yahoo.co.jp) with the below information for quick release of your winning fund to you without delay.

1.Full Name.
2.Country.
3.Residential Address.
4.Phone, Mobile numbers.
5.Age/Sex.
6.Marital Status.
7.Occupation/Job title.
8.Winning Number:


DECLARATION:

I....................Hereby Declear that the above data are true in case of any unforseen circustance, my next of kin has the right to claim the total winnings. (Fiduciary agent shall act as my agent in facilitating the release of the total fund to me. DATE: ----------

Congratulations once again on your winnings!!!

Looking forward to your swift response.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr.John Thomas
Co-ordinator

Anti-fraud resources: