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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: "Mr. Andrew Lawson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.anthonylawson1@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2017 13:35:25 -0800
Subject: Hello There!!!!!!..

Dear Sir,
 
 
My name is Mr. Andrew Lawson. I need your assistance to manage an investment fund in a profitable business in your region with good Annual Return on Investment (AROI). I know that this mail might come to you as a surprise because we neither know each other nor have ever met but please accept it with an open and positive mind.
 
Details of the investment and funding will be furnished to you when I receive your response.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Mr.  Andrew Lawson

Anti-fraud resources: