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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: Mrs Medinat <jenny_ahmed_1971@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: Mrs Medinat <medinat2014@yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 25 May 2014 22:11:29 +0900 (JST)
Subject: urgent


First and foremost, I apologize using this medium to reach you for a transaction/business of this magnitude, but this is due to confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this medium. Be informed that I obtained your enviable Credentials/profile from the Alibaba Directory.I am Mrs Medinat Sherrif the wife of former Public Works Minister of the Congo and also diamond and gold merchant Prof.T. Bishikwabo, who died in 16/08/2010 in Tutsis-Goma, Republic of Congo (DRC), as a result of civil war in Democratic Republic of Congo.I am writing you in absolute confidence primarily to seek your help to claim our cash of  $4.9 M.Dollars and gold now in custody of a security and finance company in United Kingdom to your private bank accounts pending on our arrival to your country.  I have decided to seek a confidential co-operation with you in the execution of this transaction described hereunder for the benefit of both parties.

My late husband did not declared the real contact of the 02 metallic boxes to the security company officials. He only told them that the metallic boxes is containing family valuable documents and gold inside the boxes. You are the only person I have sent this message across to. I will like you to keep the secret of this fund until it arrival your country. My late husband, Prof. Tshiumbaka  Sherrif, a native of Goma-Tutsis in the eastern province of DR Congo, he owned a large field of plantation before he became Public Works Minister and later died in the peak of the civil war, between the rebels force of Gen. Laurent Nkunda (CNDP) and the government of Congo. I want you to help me and my son claim these boxes and transfer the fund into your bank account in your country. To make a good arrangement for a joint business investment on our behalf in your country and you will manage the investment.

May God bless you.
Mrs Medinat Sherrif

Anti-fraud resources: