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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: "General Mark A. Milley" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lt.genmarkamilley@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 21:55:01 +0700
Subject: RE: URGENT RESPOND PLEASE

Good day Esteemed Friend,

I am Lieutenant General Mark A. Milley of the US Army currently in Afghanistan for peace keeping, I found your contact details via corporate search, am actually seeking your assistance to evacuate the sum of $15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million United States Dollars) to you as long as I am assured that it will be safe in your care until I complete my service here in Afghanistan.

This is not stolen fund and there are no risks involved. I count on your understanding and honesty.

please get back to me via my personal email: Lt.Genmarkamilley@usa.com
Your urgent response will facilitate this process.

Best Regards.
Lieutenant General Mark A. Milley
Kabul/Afghanistan

Anti-fraud resources: