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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: "Mr. Noel Dickosn" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <n_dickson1@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2014 11:16:12 +0200
Subject: Contact for your winnings immediately!!!

Dear Friend:
 
 
How are you doing today?
 
 
We have tried contacting  you on several occasion about the money of one million five hundred thousand dollars($1,500,000.00) that you won from our Euro Million internet lottery but there was no response from you.  We know it’s because you are scared that this winnings might be another scam. We  have decided to send you this email to assure you that this transaction has nothing to do with scam.
 
 
After much deliberation we have decided to send you a copy of the certified bank check included with the account details of which your check was issued out from.
 
 
We will also like you to provide us with you some of your info such as; your full name, full address, direct contact number so that we can commence with delivery prepossessing.
 
 
Contact  :n_dickson1@yahoo.com.hk
 
Best Regard
Noel  Dickson

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