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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 david william <simoneottavi@alice.it>
Reply-To: weunion65@yahoo.es
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 12:43:25 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Urgent respond

Attn/ Pls,
You are to contact Western union office cotonou Republic Du Benin
with ur INFORMATION
1. Full Name ______
2. Country/Address ______
3. Phone/fax number ______
4. Age/Sex _______
5. Occupation ______
6. Attach your ID ______
,for yourcompenstion, pmt s of $4.8m
Manager name is Mr:MIKE OFO Email:adres
(w_u23@yahoo.com)
but note that only money you will send them is their transfer charges.
And do let me once you receive your funds
from western union outlet
Sincerely,
Mr david william

Anti-fraud resources: