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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: Grace Mitchel <mtgrrace@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2017 18:37:18 +0000
Subject: I need your assistance,


Hello Dear Friend,

My Name is Miss.Helen Dataaya, The only daughter of late Mr Clement Dataaya. My father was a highly reputable business man a coco dealer. It is sad to say that he passed away mysteriously in France during one of his business trips abroad in March 2013.Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have been masterminded by an uncle of his who traveled with him at that time. But God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6 years old, and since then my father took me so special.

Before his death on 4th of march, 2013 he called his secretary who accompanied him to the hospital and told him that he has the sum of US$22.200.000.( TWENTY TWO MILLION, TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) left in a Bank, in Republic of cote`d ivoire West Africa. I am a university undergraduate and really don't know what to do, I want an account overseas where my inheritance fund can be transfered and after the transaction I will come over and by your help I could settle down and plan my future.

This is because I have suffered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis and death tretning from my fathers uncle. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regards, I wish to invest under your care please. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded Please, Consider this and get back to me as soon as possible so that I can give you details of the transaction. (hotoyara@hotmail.com)

Looking forward to hearing from you
Regards,
Miss.Helen Dataaya

Anti-fraud resources: