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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: Madam Mei Changpu <meichangpu20@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: meichangpu19@rediffmail.com
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 09:36:03 +0100
Subject: CAN I TRUST YOU?

Dear friend,

I am Mrs Mei Changpu and i have been suffering from ovarian cancer disease
and the doctor says that i have just two days to leave.I am from (Lhasa)
China but based in Africa Cotonou, Benin Republique,since eight years ago
as business woman dealing with gold exportation.Now that i am about to end
the race like this,without any family members and no child.I have 3 Million
US DOLLARS in Africa Development Bank (ADB) Cotonou, Benin Republique.
which i instructed the bank to give St Andrews Missionary Home in Benin
Republique. But my mind is not at rest because i am writing this letter now
through the help of my computer beside my sick bed.

I also have 4.5 Million US Dollars at Ecobank here in Benin Republique. and
i instructed the bank to transfer the money to the first foreigner that
will apply to the bank after i have gone that they should release the fund
to him/her,but you will assure me that you will take 50% of the money and
give 50% to the orphanages home in your country for my heart to rest.You
are to contact the bank through this email address:
ecobank.beninrepublque@gmail.com

Yours fairly friend,
Madam Mei Changpu.

Anti-fraud resources: