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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: "Major Eric Miller" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <majormiller9@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2016 03:44:51 -0700
Subject: PLS,GET BACK TO ME ASAP

Dear Friend
 
I seek your permission to work with you as my partner. I have about €12.6 million from a very real source and I want the funds to be invested in your country. I want you to invest into real estate and other companies, which could yield high returns on investment (ROI), invest to lead. Please contact me through this email (wellingtonmichael02@gmail.com)I shall furnish you with more convinced details.
 
Sincerely,
Michael Wellington

Anti-fraud resources: