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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister William Cox" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cox9814william@qq.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2017 14:22:43 +0100
Subject: Very Urgent.

I am William Cox,Attorney at law. A deceased client of mine that bears
the same last name as yours,who died as the result of a heart-related
condition on March 12th 2013.
 
I am getting in touch with you in respect of the portfolio investment
of my late client deposited in the bank.I am contacting you independently
so,I would therefore request that you keep the content of this mail
confidential and other information that you may come across during the
process.More details will be provided upon your reply.
 
 
Best regards
Barrister William Cox
Email    cox9814william@qq.com

Anti-fraud resources: