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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 F Kelly <"kelly."@eos.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: John F Kelly <johnfkelly2574@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2017 08:54:04 +0900 (JST)
Subject: U.S. Department of Homeland security

Dear beneficiary,

This is Gen. John F. Kelly, the new secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland security, appointed by President Donald Trump. Your delayed payment in the tone of US$4,500,000.00 (Four Million, five hundred thousand United States Dollar) that was held by IMF/FBI has been released because this is a new administration. Following the new administration debt settlement policy, we tendered your fund release file for immediate release and shipment to your designated address. In this case, you are expected to reconfirm your Full Name (as stated on your government issued photo ID), shipping address, Nearest Airport and your Direct Cell Phone number, for immediate delivery of the consignment box containing your total fund. These details are needed for proper verification due to fraudulent activities going on around the globe.

I can be reached directly at (202) 792-0643

I look forward to hearing from you.

Gen. John F. Kelly
Secretary of
The U.S. Department of
Homeland Security
Washington DC

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