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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. Stephen Alvin." <tony_joe22@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: stephen2014alvin@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 15:07:28 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Good Day,


Dear Sir/ Madam,

Good Day,

I need your consent to transfer £106 Million in Unclaimed Deposit which has remained unclaimed since year 2000. The Funds will be moved to any of our correspondent Banks in "YOUR NAME" immediately to secure the funds first.

The total amount involved is £106,000,000.00. [One Hundred and Six Million Pounds Sterling], we wish to start the first transfer with £6,000,000.00 [Six Million Pounds Sterling Only] and upon successful transaction without any disappointment from your side; we shall re-apply for the transfer of the remaining balance to your account.

The Principal will be shared on a 50/50 basis.

Yours faithfully,
Mr. Stephen Alvin.
+44 702 406 9251

Anti-fraud resources: