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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: "Mr. X" <jameolotujp@live.com>
Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2014 07:09:16 -0500
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear friend,
I sincerely understand that its wrong to write you when you never gave me your email address. I got the email from a very reliable source and promised to use it only to contact you.
My name is Mr. James Olotu, The Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company. Niger Delta is the oil producing part of my country Nigeria. Power has been a serious problem to the Nigerian government and we are working very had to see if we can get a steady 24 hours electricity in our Country.
I have a very important proposal that involves transfer of fund to your nominated bank account. I cannot discuss anything here for security reason because I don't know who checks your email. I will send you detail of my proposal as soon as you confirm you received my email and interested to know the detail.
I look forward to your positive response.
Best regards,

Your sincerely,
Mr. James Olotu
Managing Director
Niger Delta Power Holding Company
17, Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria.
Email: abiodunjames@outlook.com

Anti-fraud resources: