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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: "DR.PAUL JAMES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <drpauljames01@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2015 13:48:39 -0800
Subject: I NEED YOU TO GO THROUGH

Dear Sir,
 
First of all, my name is Dr. Paul James, the Auditor General of ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND. I have an urgent and confidential business proposition for you.I am the accounting officer of Mr. Ken Lay, Enron founder, who died on July, 5th 2006, at the age of 64.It will interest to know that on Wednesday, 7th February 2001, Mr. Ken Lay deposited a total sum of 37.5M pounds. These funds were deposited into a non-existing company's account which I opened in our bank (ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND) under their instructions, to avoid raising an eyebrow.
 
Meanwhile, the 37.5 Million Pounds deposited in my bank has no proof of ownership as it was opened with non-existing companies name and the bank is not aware of the real beneficiaries as the accounts did not bear any name. As their accounting officer and financial adviser in charge of these accounts, I can comfortable present you to the Bank as the real beneficiary of the funds and they have no right to deny the application.
 
Regards,
Dr Paul James

Anti-fraud resources: