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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: "Ernestina Naadu Mills" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ernestina_mills@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2014 12:01:57 -0700
Subject: I need your assistance/assurance

I am Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills the wife of Late President John Atta Mills of Republic of Ghana, I got your contact from the Ghana Chambers of Commence and Industry (GCCI) directory when I was searching for a reliable source who will help me to invest the funds my late husband deposited with Pacific Securities, United Kingdom, I want the fund to be invested in your country precisely as a joint business partner which you will be the Investment Manager until my son is of age to handle and manage business of his own.
 
Meanwhile, Sam Kofi Atta Mills my son is 27, a student and I want this money US$35Million invested in any profitable business that will profit both of us. Be informed that this money was deposited secretly by my late husband and he wouldnt want any one to know about it to avoid confiscation by any administrator that will take over from him when he steps down from power, but unfortunately death took him away from us.
 
Therefore, I have decided to secretly move the funds and invest this money in your country by making you the beneficiary of the fund so that you can help us invest the money, you will be entitle to 40% of its annual interest while I and my son collect 60% of its annual interest.
 
If this proposal is acceptable to you, contact me with the below details and I promise to compensate outside the 40% annual revenue and hope your Government will provided my son with a Residence Permit.
 
Full Name:
Address:
Telephone Number:
Age:
Occupation:
 
If you are not interested in my offer, kindly let me know and do not disclose the contents of this letter to a third party.
 
Best Regards,
 
Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills
Private Email: e.naadumills@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: