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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: "John K. Abbey" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wm240371@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2016 13:45:51 -0000
Subject: Please read carefully Message From: Mr. John K. Abbey...

Attn: my dear
I am Mr. John K. Abbey,and i currently work with a bank and will retire soonest.
I am seeking your assistance to evacuate the sum of $12,570,000(Twelve million Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand USD) to the States or any safe country of your choice, as far as I can be assured that it will be safe in your care until I complete approval for my retirement plans in another (6) weeks.
This transaction is 100% genuine and will benefit both of us. I will give you my full details and transaction plans as soon as i get to trust your reliability, This is of topmost confidentiality due to my name and establishment,but at the same time it is not  stolen funds,neither is it an inheritance.
Thank you and Regards.
Mr. John K. Abbey

Anti-fraud resources: