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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: "Lottery Co-coordinator" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <brenth1100@qq.com>
Date: Tue, 12 May 2015 04:06:48 +0800
Subject: Accept our congratulations in advance!!

Congratulation Dear Beneficiary,
How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family?I hope this mail meets you in a perfect condition. You have been confirmed and approved as one of our lucky winner.This is from a total cash prize of $50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million United States dollars), given to the first ONE HUNDRED (100) people who will be compensated in this world internet programs.All participants were selected-randomly from World Wide Web site Through computer draw system and extracted from over 700.000 companies.
I am using this opportunity to thank you for using the internet daily.Due to your effort, using internet programs indoor and in your office,We want to compensate you and show our gratitude to you with the sum of $950,000.00 (NINE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS). we have authorized Mr.Brent Howard to assist your in getting your compensation check across to you.The name and contact address of the Mr.Brent Howard is as follows;
CONTACT AGENT: Mr.Brent Howard
EMAIL ADDRESS: brenth1100@qq.com
Finally remember that we have forwarded instruction to Mr.Brent Howard on your behalf to send the cash prize of $950,000 to you as soon as you contact him without delay.
REGARDS
MANAGEMENT
Lottery Co-coordinator.
WORLD INTERNET PROGRAMS

Anti-fraud resources: