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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: "Mrs Sherry Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <markcollins364@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2013 09.54.11 +0200
Subject: Re: CONTACT AGENT MR. MARK COLLINS

Dear Friend,
 
 
 
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition. I am using this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the other best known to you.
 
 
But I want to inform you that I have successfully transferred the Cheque out of the company to someone else who was capable of assisting  me in this great venture Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you showed at the course of the transaction I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum $250,000.00 (two hundred Fifty thousand united states Dollars)in addition to your lottery winnings of $500 thousand now amounting to $750,000.00(seven hundred and fifty thousand United States Dollars).
 
 
My dear friend I will like you to contact the finance house for the collection of this international certified bank draft. The name and contact address of the Person with your Cheque is Mr. Mark Collins,  is as follows.
 
 
COMPENSATION AND FINANCE HOUSE HEAD OFFICE
CONTACT AGENT MR. MARK COLLINS
Email: markcollins364@yahoo.com.hk
 
At the moment, I am very busy here because of the investment projects which myself and my new partner are having at hand. Finally, remember  that I have forwarded instruction to the finance house on your behalf  to send the bank draft to you as soon as you contact them without delay. Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart.
 
 
Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hope to hear from you soon.
 
 
My sincere advice to you as a christian is that you should endeavour to pay your tithe to a bible believing church when you get the prize.
 
 
Best Regards,
Mrs Sherry Williams

Anti-fraud resources: