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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. Mark Collins" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mark_collins2011@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 16 May 2015 15:47:47 -0700
Subject: Hello

Hello,
 
Though this may not be a very conventional way of opening up a conversation such as this but from the recommendation I received from your chamber of commerce I have been inclined to give you this trust. I tried to call you sometimes last week but you were not available to take my calls severally.
 
You have been mentioned in the Will and Last Testaments of our deceased client. Be informed that our client may be related to you as no other next of kin has been mentioned in the same WILL. Please, notify me directly if we should resume the process. Our current instruction is to transfer all contents of the WILL to the appropriate department here in Nigeria and close the file.
 
Our next action will depend on your decision to proceed or decline the claim.
 
Thank you.
 
Respond to mark_collins2011@yahoo.com
 
 
Deogratias Solicitors
Deogratias & Deogratias Chambers
67 Old Ojo Road Amuwo
Lagos Nigeria.

Anti-fraud resources: