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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: "Rebecca Gross" <rebeccagross4@outlook.fr>
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 00:02:13 -1000
Subject: From Miss. Rebecca Gross


>From Miss. Rebecca Gross


Dear,
I am introducing my self as Miss. Rebecca Gross, I am 17 years old and the only Daughter of late Chief and Mrs James
Gross from Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa. My father died and left Two Million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars
($2,200,000.00) with a bank here in my country which I am the only next kin to inherit the money. I will want you to
assist me transfer this money to your account and also invest it into good business of your choice on my behalf. I am a
first year Medical student of Cocody University of Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire before my father died which made it impossible
for me to continue my educational carrier here. I don't have any business idea and this is my first time of going into
this kind of transaction.
I want to let you know that my proposal is for you to help me transfer the money into your bank account for business
purposes and for me to have good opportunity to come over to your country and continue my education. As I am writing you
this message now, I took accommodation in one of the local hotel here in my country for security reasons, because few
months after the death of my father. My uncle sold all my late father's properties and refuse to sponsor my education.
He even threaten to kill me so that he can inherit all my late father's properties. Then, i decided to run away from our
family house to the local hotel here in my country for the safety of my life..
I am asking for your understanding and help. i don't have any one to help me. you are the only person i have contacted
to assist me to transfer this money. my assurance is that you will never regret helping me, i pray for the good God to
bless you more as you accept to help me.
I will be glad to give you 20% of the total sum for your assistance once the money get's to your account in your
country. please it is very important you contact me immediately for further explanation on how we will proceed.

Awaiting your immediate response
Thanks and God bless.
Best Regards
>From Miss. Rebecca Gross

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