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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: "Barr. William Thompson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <will0@mynet.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2015 09:38:50 -0800
Subject: Please Read (Not Spam)

Hello

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
I am contacting with regards to this particular fund belonging to my deceased client, I decided to contact you about this unclaimed
deposits. If you are not interested, please ignore this mail and go about your normal business. I am Barrister William Thompson, principal
partner of Will and Williams & Co, Law Office and Notaries Public, and practicing Law in United Kingdom.
I will email you the full details once you respond.

Thank you

Will Thompson

Anti-fraud resources: