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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: "Felix Koffi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <amills283@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 01:37:55 -0700
Subject: YOUR ATTENTION NEEDED

I have interest of investing in your country as well as seek your services in a private and confidential matter. I am a senior Auditor heading computing department in a bank. On my routine inspection I discovered a dormant domiciliary account, so I write to seek your indulgence and assistance in transferring this fund to your country through legal means as repatriation of fund for Investment. I am proposing to make this transfer to a designated bank account of your choice in your country for investment. At the conclusion of this transaction, you will be given 30% of the total amount, 70% will be for me and my colleagues who will help make this business a success. Let me know if you can handle it.
 

Anti-fraud resources: