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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: "Capt. Wendy Schwartz" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <WendySwartz204@qq.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2016 13:10:19 -0700
Subject: Hello

Greetings
How are you doing today?I am Capt. Wendy Schwartz, Please do condone me for invading your privacy through this medium.Nevertheless, I desire to convey a very important message which in the
long run will be co-jointly beneficial to us.
This entails a business dealing which I will make known to you the full details in my next mail upon your response and readiness to work with me.
Please do take this mail in earnest and reply at your earliest convenience time.
Respectfully Yours,
Capt. Wendy Schwartz.
 

Anti-fraud resources: