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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: "From Gregory Dato" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.williams1111@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 08:21:32 +1000
Subject: From Gregory Dato

From Gregory Dato

With great gratitude to your efforts, I am informing you that I have
finally Succeeded in transferring the fifteen million United States
dollars to the Bank in Italy, with the assistance of a Paraguay
friend, who based on Agreement, he received 25% of the entire money
for his financial involvement and efforts.

Presently I have relocated to South Korea, to establish the Electronic
Company projects with my own share as I have earlier proposed.
Nevertheless, I cannot forget you,

Especially your honest efforts, though it did not yield positive
fruit, but I Still appreciate it, thank you very much, mean while I
have a surprise Package for you, now contact my secretary in my
country (Benin Republic) his Name is Mr. William Dossou please make

Send him the following information’s to prove youself to him:
Your full name:......................... ......
Your address:...................... ..........
Your country:...................... ...........
Your age:.......................... ...............
Your occupation:................... ........
Your phone number:......................

And ask him to send you the total of $800.000.00, us dollar to you
which I Kept for your compensation, I have instructed him to direct
you on how you Would receive the sum of eight hundred thousand united
states dollars in a Cashier cheque which I set out for your
compensation, please I want you to Accept it in good faith. I really
appreciate all you did and I pray that we would meet some day.

But right now, I am very busy in establishing the electronic company
Projects, so feel free and get in touch with Mr. William Dossou I
remain your Bosom friend.

Best regard,

Gregory Dato

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