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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: "Dr Mark Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrs.alice_egochukwu@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 08:35:05 -0400
Subject: Contact my secretary for your CASHIER CHECK

My Dearest Friend,
 
With great gratitude to your efforts,I am informing you that , I have finally succeeded in transferring those fund to the bank in United States of America, with the assistance of a Italian friend,whom based on agreement received 25% of the entire money for his financial involvement and efforts.Presently I am in South Korea, to establish the electronic company project with my own share as I have earlier proposed.
 
Nevertheless, I cannot forget you, especially your honest efforts, though it did not yield positive result then, but I still appreciate it. Thank you very much, meanwhile I have a surprise package for you.
 
Contact Mrs. Alice Egochukwu on this her e-mail address: mrs.alice_egochukwu@yahoo.com.ph she is my secretary . I have instructed her before I left to South Korea to send to you the sum of (One Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars Only) US$1,250.000.00 via a CASHIER CHECK for your compensation.
 
Please, I want you to accept it in good faith, I really appreciate all you did and I pray that we would meet someday, so feel free and get in touch with her.
 
 
 
I remain your bosom friend,
 
My Kind Regards
Dr Mark Williams

Anti-fraud resources: