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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: "Wayne Helen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <felimar14@live.com>
Date: Tue, 22 May 2012 21:33:36 +0300
Subject: Have you heard from Mr. Felipe



Hello,

I am writing you to let you know that I saw your name and information when I travel over to Nigeria to claim my compensation fund of $1,500,000.00 last month and I will advise you to contact Mr. Felipe Marcus for your compensation via his email address.

Mr. Felipe Marcus.
felimar14@live.com

Mr. Felipe Marcus assisted me in recovering my compensation fund. You should contact him. I wish you good luck.

Dr. Helen Wayne, MD

Anti-fraud resources: