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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: "Mr. Craig Jones" <craigjones19557@gmail.com>
Reply-To: <craigjones938@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 01:14:25 +0100
Subject: Re: hi Sir

Dear Friend,

My name is Mr.Craig Jones, I am the Regional Manager In a reputable BANK in UK. I write you this proposal in good faith.

Mr. Robert A. "SEABOB" Weiler is a customer of our bank and have deposited USD$1.3 Million and have no trace of his children because he did not have a next of Kin to cliam the Funds. Am contacting as an Undertaker who may know his children or relatives that can stand to cliam the Funds.

I sent a notification letter to him via his address but got no reply.

I will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to Mr. Robert Seabob to claim this fund for our mutual benefit.Be informed that the reason for a foreigner as next of kin in this deal is necessary given the fact that the customer was a foreigner and no other person can stand as his next of kin.

If can help me with his relatives or you can stand as a next of Kin, kindly indicate in writing and confirm the following :

Full Name: .............................................................
Contact Address: .......................................................
Direct Telephone Number: ...............................................
Age: ...................................................................
Occupation and Position: ...............................................
Marriage Status: .......................................................
Gender: ................................................................

I want to emphasize here that this deal is free from any form of risk from both parties as great care has been exercised in perfecting it, and therefore, I enjoin you to approach it with an open mind and without any fear whatsoever. As a deal, I also make haste to advice that you should be private about it.

Best Regards,
Craig Jones.

Anti-fraud resources: