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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: "DOUGLAS RICHARD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <douglasrichard1012@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:57:09 +0200
Subject: US Department of Treasury Direct Account

I am Mr. Douglas Richard, Deputy Manager for the US Department of Treasury Direct Account. I am getting in touch with you regarding sum of US$20.5M (Twenty Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) awarded contract fund.
 
According to US Department of Treasury Direct Account you are not required to purchase this transaction with your own money because finance that will loan you fund to finalize this transaction.
 
This is 100% risk free.
 
Please send me a mail and I will send full details to you.
 
1)        You’re Full Name and you Company Name.
2)        Your Mobile Number
3)        Your Home address and your Company address.
4)        Your Full Company bank account details.
 
Regards,
 
Mr. Douglas Richard

Anti-fraud resources: