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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: "Publishers Clearing House" <pch@ecologia.unam.mx>
Reply-To: pchclaimsdept@outlook.com
Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2017 11:33:42 -0500
Subject: Winning Notification

We are please to announce to you that your email address emerged along side 4 others as
a category 2 winner in this year's weekly Publishers Clearing House Consequently.You
have won One million dollars and therefore been approved for a total pay out of One
million dollars ($1,000,000.00USD) The following particulars are attached to your lotto
payment order:

winning numbers : 1400
email, ticket number:ETN9091176

Please contact the underlined claims officer with the Contact info below

AGENT: Mr. James Patrick
EMAIL: pchclaimsdept@outlook.com

Winner you are to send the details below to process the immediate payment of your prize

1. Name in full:
2. Address:
3. Phone Number:
4. Sex:
5. Nationality:
6. Age:
7. Present Country:

Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Margaret Self
ONLINE CO-ORDINATOR.

Anti-fraud resources: