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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: "Life Love" <lifelove295@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:09:49 +0900
Subject: Let get together

Hi,

My closest friend was so lucky to meet a real charming person online, and
their relationship is really blossoming. I felt that I should also give it
a try, hoping that I will be as lucky, in locating someone really
nice online. I humbly urge you to find time and convey your reply back to
me, maybe from there; we will see a good cause to become friends. Kindly
send/reply back to me , I will be able to tell you more about myself and
exchange some pictures with you. I don’t like exposing my pictures on
dating sites. To be honest, this is the weirdest thing I’ve done all my
life but I am willing to give a try, as they say, a journey of a thousand
miles starts with a step. Hope to read your email soon.
let me buy you a ticket to come and visit me, all you need do
is email me and i will send you my picture and phone to call me and let
take it from there, we can talk on phone every munite till you get here. i
like your person if you do not mind.please include your phone number,picture,
profession,marital status,age,do you have kids? what type of relationship
do you
need (just friend or marriage?) and address immediately.you can email me
immediately
so i can email you a reply today.


Yours sincerely,
Love.


Anti-fraud resources: