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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: "Stephen Chang Esq" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <stephenchangesq@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 17 May 2012 23:34:15 +0800
Subject: I hope to hear from you soonest

Dear Sir/Ma,

Mr. Hassan Ali sent me an email yesterday, stating that you instructed him to cliam the sum of US$10.5million that was deposited by my late client on your behalf.
I have sent you an email concerning the fund in the past but no reply from you. Not until i received the massage from Mr. Hassan.

Please i need you to reconfirm these information before i proceed with him. For the Bank that this fund was deposited has issued an order, stating that i should bring forward the beneficiary to this fund, otherwise they will get it confiscated.

In addition, it is pertinent to inform you that this transaction is void of any legal implications as all legal documents to portray you as the bonfire next of kin shall be secure in your name.

Kindly confirm your personal detail as stated:

1.full name,
2.address,
3.cell number
4.sex
5.age
6.occupation
7. E-mail address

To enable us commence all the legal documents immediately. Please get back to me Asap.

I hope to hear from you soonest.

Barrister Stephen Chang Esq.

Anti-fraud resources: