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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: "James Thomas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jt8222282@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 3 May 2016 16:53:37 -0700
Subject: VERY URGENT REPLY.........

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is to officially inform you that your long awaited payment of $1.5 Million US Dollars is now ready for immediate release through an ATM VisaCard.

You are advice to Re-confirm the folllowing information to us urgently, on the receipt of this message for immediate payment.

Your full Names:
Address:
Cell Phone:
Phone Number:
Fax if any :

I await your urgent responds.

Sincerely,

James Thomas

Anti-fraud resources: