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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: "Mr Bonnie H. Miller" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bonniehearnmiller@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:59:38 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT FUND

Dear Sir,
 
I am Barr Bonnie Hearn Miller. My client a High Net worth Individual in Europe has $500Million in Bank Guarantee Funds for 10 years investment/Loan.
 
My client is very sick and requires this joint venture agreement to secure his investment as he has no wife or children.
 
He also wishes to set up a cancer research foundation in his name to support victims that are less privileged.
 
email me for further details on this business venture.
 
Sincerely,
 
Bonnie Hearn Miller

Anti-fraud resources: