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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: Helen Smith <unaids100@googlemail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 08:21:49 +0800
Subject: Offer Letter(Treat accordingly).

--
Attn:Sir/Ma,

Haven't received your contact as a reliable person has
permited/empowered this mail to you,which i want you to receive with
an open mind.

However,I'm very happy to introduce to you a Top Government Official
with a Capital of $36.8 Million USD from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
searching for a good person to investment within your country.

Regards,this letter is offering you a (Partnership),to represent &
manage His investment in your country.

Meanwhile,since we cannot determine if this email is valid and also
your willingness,we have kept this proposal brief until we received an
affirmative response from you to explaining everything in details to
you and also to agreeing in Principle witj you on terms of operations.

Upon the receipt of this mail and this proposition is acceptable by
you,endeavor to reconfirm your details to me as follows:

Your names(Surname First):
Mailing address:
Sex:
Age:
Marital Status:
Occupation:
Telephone #:
Nationality.

In our response, we will send you an elaborate email detail of this offer.

Your immediate response will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Respectfully,
Barr.Helen Smith

Anti-fraud resources: