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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: Stephen Badu <sbesq.alternatemail@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2013 11:45:06 -0600
Subject: Private Letter To You From Barrister Stephen.

Hello, Kindly Send Your Response To Provided Email Address: sbesq.alternatemail@yahoo.com I saw your contact information in E-Commerce Journal while I was searching for a potential Inheritor to my deceased client. I am Stephen A. Badu, executor to the WILL of a late client who was an independent gold dealer, lived in Europe and died in Ghana but had businesses in Ghana and the Middle East. He left in a DORMANT account a total of €1.400,000.00 (One Million Four Hundred Thousand Euros) deposit and bonds, held in a Finance house in Europe. I received official letters from the bank last week suggesting a likely proceeding for the confiscation of these abandoned personal assets; in line with European financial laws. On this note, I decided once more to search for a potential person who share the same last name with him (however distant). He had neither a wife nor children. I need your consent to present you as the Inheritor to the deceased, because you share the same LAST NAME with him. I am on top of the situation as executor to the codicil last testament to his WILL. This may sound unbelievable, but it is real and true, be assured. To indicate your interest and readiness to stand as the Inheritor to my deceased client. Feel free to provide me with the listed information: 1, Your Full Name: 2, Full Address: 3, City: State: Zip Code: 4, Phone No: 5, Age: 6, Work Status Send Reply To: sbesq.alternatemail@yahoo.com The requested information will be used for application of claims. Faithfully, Barr. Stephen A. Badu esq. Restorative Justice

Anti-fraud resources: