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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: "EDDY WALLACE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <edddywallace1@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:59:00 +0100
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF PAYMENT.

I am an auditor in a European bank and clearing house.

Our duty is to look into transaction records of Banks, securities companies and financial houses within Europe.

We also work in collaboration with America, Asia, Africa and Australian clearing houses. During my investigation on un-paid debts in various banks and security companies, I discovered that you are to be paid for an INHERITED /CONTRACT FUND which requires presentation of certain documents and payment of fees before the fund could be released to you

View the website for more information: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5171222.stm

I want to inform you that the problem you are having is from your agent/partners and the lawyer who is representing you, they did not revealed the reason for delay of your payment, and My reason of contacting you is to inform you to stop payment of any such to the lawyer or to the financial house, as you will not receive your fund due to some anomalies we discovered in your file.

We are to protect your interest, please contact me immediately so we can advice you on how you will receive your fund without any impediment.

You are hereby advised to maintain constant contact with me and avoid any interaction with those unscrupulous representatives.

Yours faithfully.

Eddy Wallace.

Anti-fraud resources: