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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: "Mr.Martin Buma"<mrmartinbma@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 19:03:48 +0530
Subject: interested contact

Dear Friend,

I am a senior officer at my bank in Ghana, I have a business opportunity to propose you. We had a foreign client who is a Gold Merchant from your country. Deposited a large sum of money with our bank ($9.4Million Dollars). Eventually, died in a car accident without next of kin. I want to introduce you to my bank as the next of kin and you will take 50% as your shear.

If you are interested contact me at my email only with your name and phone number at: mrmartinbma@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Mr.Martin Buma

Anti-fraud resources: