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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. Amatus Gupta" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <amatus.gupta@yahoo.it>
Date: Sat, 6 Apr 2013 16:21:32 +0100
Subject: FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

From The Desk of Mr. Amatus Gupta,
Via of Vittorio Veneto 20,
Rome 00187, Italy

Dear Sir/Ma,

Good day, you may be surprise receiving this email as we have not met before, I have a
business proposal for you that will be of mutual benefit. Should you be interested,
please forward the following to me:

1.Full names,
2.Occupation,
3.Private phone & fax number,
4.Current address.

Your earliest response to this email, will be highly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Mr Amatus Gupta

Anti-fraud resources: