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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: Albert Brown Jr <epost.albert@sc.rr.com>
Date: Fri, 15 May 2015 04:24:08 -0700
Subject: Re: Albert Brown Jr (15/05/2015).

Goodmorning,
 
I am amazed not receiving a response from mails I sent to you earlier.
 
I write to inquire the possibility of having different families with your same surname who do not share common roots with you?
 
I have a client who had the same surname with you but died few years ago.
 
I have been instructed to present any of his relations to be paid an investment deposit I assisted him make with a bank.
 
It is my wish to present you.
 
Let me know if message reached you to enable me elaborate more.
 
Best regards,
 
Albert Brown (LLB)
 

Anti-fraud resources: