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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: Steven Adams <info5@webonline.onmicrosoft.com>
Reply-To: <stevdams@outlook.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2013 05:56:30 +0530
Subject: Hello Mail From Steven Adams


Dear Sir/Madam, I am sorry for invading your privacy. My name is Steven Ada=
ms.I am from New Zealand but currently in the UK. I have been a successful =
businessman for the past 20 years, my business interests has spanned the se=
ctors of metals, oil and precious stones in Asia, Africa and Europe, during=
this time, I have amassed a lot of wealth but recently I was diagnosed wit=
h esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and rig=
ht now I have only about a few weeks to live. I am very rich, but was never=
generous; I have given most of my assets to my immediate family members bu=
t my mind is not at peace since I have a dream of giving back to the societ=
y and helping the needy in our world. I have decided to give alms and donat=
ions to charity organizations. I cannot do this myself anymore because of m=
y health. I once asked members of my family to give some money to charity o=
rganizations,they refused and kept the money for themselves that made my he=
alth heavy and uneasy. I have a huge cash deposit in a secured bank since 2=
010. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to cha=
rity organizations for charity work under your supervision. You will take o=
ut 30% of these funds for your assistance. Please answer these questions,Co=
ntact me via: stevdams@outlook.com. [1] Full Names: [2] Your Country: [3] D=
irect Telephone [4] Date of birth: [5] Occupation: Regards, Steven Adams.

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