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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: "CAPT. JEFF WHITTEN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <capt.jeff.whitten86@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 00:07:45 -1200
Subject: PLEASE TREAT AS CONFIDENTIAL, I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP!

GREETINGS!
 
I AM SORRY TO ENCROACH INTO YOUR PRIVACY IN THIS MANNER. I FOUND YOUR PROFILE LISTED IN THE DOD DATABASE AND I FOUND IT PLEASURABLE TO OFFER YOU MY PARTNERSHIP IN BUSINESS. I ONLY PRAY THAT AT THIS TIME YOUR ADDRESS IS STILL VALID. I WANT TO SOLICIT YOUR ATTENTION TO RECEIVE MONEY ON MY BEHALF.
 
I AM CAPT. JEFF WHITTEN, AN OFFICER IN THE US ARMY, ALSO A WEST POINT GRADUATE PRESENTLY SERVING IN THE MILITARY WITH THE 82ND AIR BORNE DIVISION PEACE KEEPING FORCE IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ. WE WERE MOVED TO AFGHANISTAN AS THE LAST BATCH JUST LEFT, AND I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP IN ASSISTING ME WITH THE SAFE KEEPING OF TWO MILITARY TRUNK BOXES.
 
I HOPE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED? YOU WILL BE REWARDED HANDSOMELY IF YOU COULD HELP ME SECURE THE FUNDS UNTIL I CONCLUDE MY SERVICE HERE. IF YOU CAN BE TRUSTED, I WILL EXPLAIN FURTHER WHEN I GET A RESPONSE FROM YOU. PLEASE ENSURE TO REPLY VIA MY PRIVATE-MAIL ADDRESS.[capt.jeff.whitten86@gmail.com]
 
GOD BLESS AMERICA
CAPT. JEFF WHITTEN
U.S ARMY

Anti-fraud resources: