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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: "Project" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <biz200011@mail.kz>
Date: Fri, 18 May 2012 09:14:15 +0100
Subject: BUSINESS PARTNER NEEDED

Dear Sir/Madam
I am searching for a reliable person to be a partner to my distiguished
client(a politician).I just stumbled on your email and think it would
interest and benefit you immensely.My customer  wants to invest in
Your country and have just mandated me to search  for a reliable person
to represent his interest.I would want your opinion on the kind of
investment that is lucrative in your country without much taxes and how
you would help in moving an amount running into millions of $ into your
country without difficulties.Please provide your phone number so that
we can talk.
I await your reply,
Abu Lawal
 

Anti-fraud resources: