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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: "CAPTAIN PAUL CHENG" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <paullchengg@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2017 17:56:56 -0400
Subject: FROM CAPTAIN PAUL CHENG,US ARMYy

Dear: Sir I am sorry to encroach into your privacy in this manner, I found you listed in the Trade Center Chambers of Commerce directory here in Iraq, I find it pleasurable to offer you my partnership in business. I only pray at this time that your address is still valid. I want to solicit your attention to receive the two trunks on my behalf. I am Capt Paul Cheng, an officer in the US Army, and also a West Point Graduate presently serving in the Military keeping force in Baghdad, Iraq. I am on the move to Afghanistan from Iraq as the last batch just left, and I really need your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of two military trunk boxes which has just arrived the United Kingdom from the Iraq. I believe you can be trusted and handle it? Kindly view this news blog below for some info http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7444083.stm I will explain further when I get a response from you. Nevertheless, if you are interested reconfirm the following to me as follows. (a) Your full Names (b) Your physical mailing address (c) Your direct telephone numbers (d) Your occupation Please ensure to reply via my private e-mail:paullchengg@gmail.com God bless you and thanks for cooperation in advance. Best Regards, Capt , Paul Cheng. US ARMY

Anti-fraud resources: