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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: "Steven Heal" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <steheal@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Fri, 25 May 2012 21:19:39 +0100
Subject: Exclusive for you

With due respect,
 
I have decided to reach you directly and personally after all my search looking for a foreign partner that could be of assistance.
 
Please permit me to introduce myself, my name is Mr. Steven Heal, am the head of audit department the risk manager of HSBC Bank London.
 
I have a business proposal worth of (Ten Million United States dollars).
 
Kindly let me know if you are interested, to enable me furnish you more details.
 
Looking forward to hearing from you.
 
Best regards.
Mr. Steven Heal

Anti-fraud resources: