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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: Matthew Duggan <lee123@cantv.net>
Reply-To: b.mathewduggan@live.com
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2014 08:27:42 -0430 (VET)
Subject: Very Urgent Dear

 
I am Matthew Duggan, a Lawyer in Cotonou, Benin Republic, Late Mr. Peter, a gold merchant who was my client died as a result of plane crash. Now i want to present you to His bank, so that the money left behind by Him can be transferred to your account through my help. The money value 23.5 Million was lodged in a local bank here by Mr. Peter before his death, upon your response i will provide details.

Anti-fraud resources: