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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: =?UTF-8?Q?Miles_Mandela=2e?= <millesmandela@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: milesmandela@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 21:52:31 +0000
Subject: =?UTF-8?Q?sir=2c=2c?=

Hi,

With your permission sir,I want to use your name to secure the urgent release of the total sum of $35m from a prime bank in South Africa to your personal/cooperate bank account in bits.all i need from you is your Assurance you wont let me down/your Availability/ honesty and most importantly adhering to my instructions once this money is being deposited into your account.your commission will be 20% of the total fund.I will give you full details on hearing from you in confidence via reply email indicating your interest to cooperate.Treat as very confidential.



Regards,
Mr Miles Mandela.

Anti-fraud resources: