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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: "Ms, Susan Van Der Merwe" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <susanvan_dermerwe@yahoo.co.za>
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:04:46 -0700
Subject: Re: Your Feedback will be Appreciated:


Hello,

My apology as I am contacting you through email; it is because it serves as the fastest and more convenient way to get to you, I am Ms. Susan C. Van Der Merwe Deputy Minister of International Relations from South Africa, I request your assistance for this reason after the death of my husband I find out that my husband has some funds in an offshore account without a beneficiary I want you to receive the fund due to my position in the government.

I will appreciate if you can call me on my private number (+27-843580712) to discuss about the matter, if you can not get me on phone writer me email. I will give you more details and my profile as I hear from you.

Best Regard,
Ms. Susan Van Der Merwe.

Anti-fraud resources: