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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: jbarmah <jb2000@ok.net>
Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:02:00 -0800 (PST)
Subject: PLEASE WE NEED YOUR TRUST YOU.

PLEASE WE NEED YOUR TRUST YOU.

DEAREST ONE...

WE ARE WRITING FROM REPUBLIC OF COTE D' IVOIRE...(WEST AFRICA).. IT IS OUR
PLEASURE TO APPEAL FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AND TRUST. WE ARE WILLIAMS &
LINDA JOHNSON...THE SURVIVING CHILDREN OF LATE DR & MRS EDWIN A.
JOHNSON.. THE DIRECTOR OF SIERRA LEONE DIAMOND MINING COOPERATION SIERRA
LEONE, WE ARE HERE IN COTE D' IVOIRE TAKING REFUGE AFTER THE BRUTAL WAR
AND MURDER OF OUR PARENTS BY THE REBELS DURING THE RENEWED POLITICAL
FIGHTING IN OUR COUNTRY
SIERRA LEONE.

WE HAVE (US$15,500.000.00 ) TO INVEST IN YOUR COUNTRY, AND WE WILL REQUIRE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN RECEIVING THIS FUNDS IN YOUR PERSONAL/ COMPANY ACCOUNT FOR INVESTMENT AND TO ENABLE US CONTINUE OUR EDUCATION IN YOUR COUNTRY. WE
WILL BE GLADLY TO GIVE YOU 15% OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE
IN RECEIVING THE FUND ON OUR BEHALF FOR INVESTMENTS IN YOUR COUNTRY.

AWAITING YOUR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FOR MORE DETAILS.

THANKS

OUR BEST REGARDS.
WILLIAMS & LINDA JOHNSON.

Anti-fraud resources: