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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs Amanda Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <saniahmed1@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:38:53 +0100
Subject: RESPOND VERY URGENTLY: IN GOD WE TRUST.

 
Attention Please:
 
I am Mrs Amanda Smith from United Kingdom. However I know this message may come to you as a surprise, please consider this with all  seriousness as I solicit your assistance in the most polite language.
 
I went through your profile and counted you worthy for this transaction. I am a dying woman who had decided to donate what I have to  Charities. I am 63 years old by age, and was diagnosed for cancer about two years ago immediately after the death of my husband, Life  for me in this world is not that important since we are passing our life in this world so we can have a place in Heaven I have been  touched by God to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband for the good work of God, rather than allow his relatives to  use my husband's hard earned funds
ibuchim734: ungodly.
 
As I lay on my sick bed, I want you to help me in carrying out my last wish on earth which will be very profitable to you. I want to  WILL a total sum of ($5.2 Million United States Dollars) to you which I want you to distribute part of it to any charity home, for  your kindness on this work you are to carry out, I am offering you 40% while 60% of the Fund will go to any Charity organizations of  your choice for me, please I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
 
Regards,
Mrs Amanda

Anti-fraud resources: