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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 Melisa Williams <melisawilliams589@gmail.com>
Reply-To: melisawilliams518@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2014 11:18:15 +0400
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEEDED I WANT TO INVEST

Dear friend
Good day to you, my full name is Mrs.Melisa Williams, with my only
Son, Ossey Williams, we are from Kenya.I am so sorry for sending this
unsolicited and unexpected mail. I am searching for a reliable and
experience business partner. I need your assistance, am contacting
you in respect of investment assistance, i want to know if you can
assist me to invest in your country under your guidance,Please let me
know what you think about investing in your country and how it will be
profitable.
Please, kindly get back to me if you are interested to assist and
corporate with me.
waiting for your kind reply
Regards
Mrs.Melisa Williams

Anti-fraud resources: