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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: "HARRY RABIU" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <harryrabiu49@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2017 20:47:38 -0800
Subject: For your perusal and record

My name is Mr Harry Young Rabiu, the est. managing director of the Banque Internationale du Benin. I am contacting you in a benevolent spirit;and with utmost confidence and trust to enable us provide a solution to a money transfer of $18Million to your account.
 
Do get back to me for more details.
 
Best Regards,
 
Mr Harry Young Rabiu.

Anti-fraud resources: