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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: "Anthony Shu Chang" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <anthonyshuchang@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2017 16:08:22 +0100
Subject: Respond To Your Fortune.

Hi How are you today? Thanks for your assistance to get the diamond stone on the ship. Like you said, its a little price to pay for the value of the diamond. We set sail over a week ago. I will send you our tracking co-ordinates, so you can monitor our progress. I have perfected arrangements with the diamond dealer that was recommended. He understands that we do not have a certificate for the diamond. I have sent him the same picture of the diamond you have. He, like the dealer here that confirmed the value, feels it will be worth at least $7,600,000.00. He is eager and has assured me that so long as we can get the diamond to his showroom, he will pay 50% of the value. The proposed amount by the dealer is okay by me, considering how I got it. Whats your opinion? For privacy reasons, I told the diamond dealer that the identity of the bearer(you) of the diamond stone to his showroom will only be revealed to him when my vessel arrives. I will book your appointment with him on the day when my ship berths. MOST IMPORTANTLY; As you promised in your last phone call, please ensure that it will not be a problem for you to receive this amount of huge payment in your account. Take note that the dealer also offered the option of paying you cash if you are unconfortable with receiving over $3,000,000.00 in your account. The decision is entirely yours to make. But considering the time frame, the dealer wants you to decide how you want to receive the funds, so he can perfect his own arrangements on time. Please avail me this information before the end of the week, so i can notify the dealer. Thank you and hope to read from you soon. I have included the new gmail account your advised that i should register for the purpose of you communicating with me. Anthony Shu Chang

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