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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: "Brown Ezeugo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <graham.alex2014@yandex.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2017 14:20:48 -0800
Subject: PLOT TO STEAL YOUR FUND.

Dear Sir,
 
How are you today sir?. Please do not ignore this vital information.
 
Some rich and highly influential Saudi businessman wants to steal your contract Inheritance fund. It is not actually his fault because some two desperate and corrupt Nigeria government officials told him you are dead, so he is pushing the process as your heir (next-of-kin) with a wrong belief. I am revealing this to you because I think it is not right what they are doing to you, and you should not be trampled upon and oppressed by the supper rich and the highly connected.
 
I will give you more details upon your response; that is if you will permit me to direct you on how best to approach this situation. He has already paid all the processing fees and is now awaiting Foreign Exchange approval for the fund to be released and wired to his bank account in Switzerland. But there is a delay now due to National revenue drop caused by the dwindling Crude oil prize which is the major source of the country’s revenue. The Saudi is even in the country as I write this message, but you will surely beat him to his games because his contacts at the Presidency will fail him the leadership baton has changed at the presidency following the defeat of his close friend (former president GoodluckEbele Jonathan) by the Opposition in the just concluded Presidential Election.  Just get back to me very quickly, and I will guide you on simple things to do to retrieve this fund immediately.
 
Thanks.
 
Brown Ezeugo.

Anti-fraud resources: