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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: "Mercy Edward" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mercyedward02@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 14 May 2016 02:18:45 +0200
Subject: RE- YOUR FAMILY INHERITANCE

I sincerely apologize if i interfered to your privacy,   
 
I am Mercy Edward, a citizen of South Africa. I would like to discuss a transaction involving a huge some
of money that belongs to one of our late customer and happens to share the same family name as you.
 
The fund is now without claim because he died in a deadly earthquake in China the year 2008. I am seeking therefore
your cooperation so as to make the security firm send you the fund as the rightfully beneficiary/next of kin to the
fund in mutual benefit to both of us.
 
This proposal is very confidential as I expect your response as soon as possible.
 
Quickly get back to me with your contact details for more explanation on this issue.
 
At the receipt of your reply, I will give you details of the transaction. And a copy of the Deposit certificate of the
fund with the security firm.
 
Thanks in advance,
 

Anti-fraud resources: