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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: "fddc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tm9722580@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 17:05:59 -0600
Subject: With warm regards from London

I write to seek your collaboration in a private and confidential matter regarding some funds in a dormant account in my bank here in London. You are hence being contacted to be legally nominated as next of kin (inheritor) to a late client who did not nominate an inheritor or next of kin to his account before his death. This is in recognition of the fact that you share the same last name with the late account owner. Therefore, if you can be trusted, please reply ASAP.

Although, this may be hard for you to believe, but we stand to gain £7,522,600 (Seven million, Five hundred & Twenty-two Thousand and Six Hundred pounds) to be shared between you and I, in a matter of days.

Nonetheless, bear with me for now as I am not going to be elaborate. This requires a private arrangement. Could you perhaps be able to receive this fund under legal claims, then I will fill you in. I will appreciate for fewer questions asked and your participation will be 30% of the total money. There are practically no risks involved as long as you will remain honest to me and follow my instructions till the end of this important business. I am going to trust you and believing that you will never let me down either now or in future. I plead with you to give this the benefit of doubt and find out what it is all about. I need you to signify your interest by replying via this email: tm9722581@gmail.com

Most importantly, I will need you to promise me to keep whatever you learn from me VERY CONFIDENTIAL even if you decide not to go along with me. I will make more details available to you on receipt of a positive response from you.

With warm regards from London,
Alex Moore

Anti-fraud resources: