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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: Barrister Edwin Cole <barrister.edwin.cole@yandex.com>
Date: Sat, 24 May 2014 13:04:56 +0300
Subject: From Barrister Edwin Cole

>From Barrister Edwin Cole
Infacult of law for
Edwin Cole, 164 DE LA
RU way Lome Togo.

Dear Friend,

Please excuse me for interfering into your privacy in this manner,I am
Barrister Edwin Cole the legal representative of a citizen of your
country who lost his life alongside his direct family in a motor
accident here in Togo.

He left the sum of $ 2.5 million with a land value of $ 1 million,
meanwhile, his bank wishes to transfer the benefit to any member of
his extended family as the presentation can be represented in my
office. Please indicate your interest in this claim so that I can
provide you with the working conditions and guidelines.

1. Your full name:
2. Date of Birth:
3. Your personal e-mail address:
4. Direct phone and fax number:
5. Marital status:
6. Occupation:

Sincerely,

Barrister Edwin Cole.

Anti-fraud resources: