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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: grace michel <tenten2048@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: grace michel <gracemichel2015@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2015 23:43:08 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Dear can i trust you in transfering my inheritance into your account?


Good Day my dear,  In confidence, I
have to introduce myself am. Michel Gracia, 22, am the only daughter of
the late Michel Akah.  I prayed before contacting you, please, my dear
do not see my proposal as a risk, because we do not know each other. 
What I am saying is that I want to transfer (5.5 million euros) in your
account. Is it possible that you receive without telling any story when
money comes into your account? No risk in this transfer is legal.  Can I trust you on this transfer of my inheritance from my late father.
Waiting for your urgent response.  Sincerely yours,  Miss Grace Michel.

Anti-fraud resources: