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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: "Mrs. Mabel Maradas." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mabelm011@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2014 10:53:23 -0600
Subject: GOOD JOB OFFER FOR YOU AS A REPRESENTATIVE IN YOUR COUNTRY

Dear good friend.

My name is Mabel Maradas and I am an artist. I live in Malaysia now, with my two kids, one dog and the love of my life. It is definitely a full house.

I have been doing artwork since I was a small child. When I was in USA were I took interest in arts that gives me about 23 years of experience. I majored in art in high school and took a few college art courses. Most of my work is done in either pencil or airbrush mixed with color pencils. I have recently added designing and creating artwork on the computer.

I have been selling my art for the last 4 to 5 years and have had my work featured on trading cards, prints and in magazines. I have sold in galleries, museums and to private collectors from all around the world. I am always facing serious difficulties when it comes to selling my art works to Cayman Islands, Canada and USA, and other part of the world (Overseas).

I am looking for a representative in the your country who will be working for me as a part-time worker, which will not affect your present state of work, someone who would help me receive payments from my customers in your country. But the problem I have is trust, But I have my way of getting anyone that gets away with my money, I mean the FBI branch in your country gets involve.

It wouldn't cost you any amount to apply, you are to receive payments and take 10% of every payments you receive from my customers. If you are interested, please get back to me as soon as possible.

Regards,
Mrs. Mabel Maradas.

Anti-fraud resources: