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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: "Engr. John Maloney" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <maloni20001@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2015 17:12:01 -0700
Subject: Business Proposal



Dear Friend,

Compliment of the season, I got your contact information from a reputable business/professional directory of your country which gives me assurance of your legibility as a person, I send you this brief letter to solicit your partnership to transfer the sum of (US$18.5m) to your country.

I am Engineer John Maloney, a director of Projects with the South African Ministry of Minerals and Energy Resources. I am making this contact with you based on the committee's need for an individual/ company who is willing to assist us with a solution to money transfer.

Kindly notify me by phone or E-mail:maloni20001@gmail.com, your secured telephone and fax number for further details upon your acceptance of this proposal, this will enable me call and fax all details for your understanding before we commerce.

Thanking you in anticipation for your co-operation

Best Regards,

Engr. John Maloney
Tel/Fax:+27 86 766 6177
Email:maloni20001@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: