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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: "Monica Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <monicabrown339@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2016 00:27:23 +0400
Subject: Assistance

Hello Dear,

My Name is Monica Brown,i decided to contact you also need your assistance.I am a soldier working as United Nations peace keeping troop in Afghanistan,on war against terrorism.I have in my possession the sum of $3.5 million USD Which i made here in Afghan and I deposited this money with a Red Cross agent.

I want you to stand as my beneficiary and receive the fund and keep it safe also INVEST it,i'll give you %50 of the money,after you have receive it,reply me.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monica Brown
*****Any emails that exceed 15MB in total size will not be processed by our support system please re-size and resend.*****

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