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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: "Dr. Kim Justin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <infomyoffice2010@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2014 10:12:43 +0100
Subject: Your first $5000.00 is sent today via western union

 
    Your first $5000.00 is sent today via western union. Contact Mr. Edward Craven (infomyoffice2010@yahoo.com) Tel: +2348038353839. He will keep sending you the daily payment of $5000.00 until your total compensation fund of $1.9 million are completed. Forward to him your full name and address for him to be sure and below is the detail for the first pick up.
    
    Copy/paste and track your payment here on below link:
    https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderstatus.asp?country=global
    Below is your first payment for $5000.00 USD sent today.
    M.T.C.N: 3790208020
    Sender’s First Name: Sherlana
    Sender’s Last Name: Sam
    Text question: Pick up
    Text Answer: Today
    Amount: $5000.00
    
    Best Regards,
    Dr. Kim Justin
 

Anti-fraud resources: