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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: James Williams <jameswilliams125@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: jw974293@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:36:54 +0100 (BST)
Subject: I need you as a foreigner to act as the next of kin




Hello Dear Friend,

My name is Mr. James Williams, the Overseas Fund Officer of an Investment Bank here in Ghana.

My client, General Daoud Rajha who died recently during the Syria insurgency, made a fixed deposit of nine million pounds in my branch.From investigations, he did not declare any next of kin. So, I need you as a foreigner to act as the next of kin to get this fund for us because the funds will revert to the Ghana Treasury if nobody comes forward.

My anticipated percentages for sharing shall be fair enough, 60% for me, 40% for you.

Please confirm by replying to state if you are interested, kindly send your full details.

Contact email: jw974293@gmail.com

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. James Williams

Anti-fraud resources: