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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: "Mrs. Michelle" <S.@vega.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Michelle" <mrsmichelleobama111@outlook.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2016 08:36:52 +0900 (JST)
Subject: I am Mrs. Michelle Obama

I am Mrs. Michelle Obama and I am written to inform you about your Bank Cheque Draft brought by the United Embassy from the government of Benin Republic in the white house Washington DC has been mandated to be deliver to your address on Wednesday being of November 18th 2015 to you as soon as you get back to me with your Home address:.............. Cell phone number:........ City:............................. Fax:............................. Country:....................... Sincerely yours Mrs Michelle Obama THE WHITE HOUSE {OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE US} 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW

Anti-fraud resources: