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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "CAPT. LARA WILLIAMS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <larasha.william@yandex.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2017 11:55:30 +0100
Subject: GET BACK TO ME URGENTLY.

Your Attn:,
 
I am Capt. Larashana Williams, female Army officer with the US military and currently in Baghdad with the Combat Support Squad, US Base Camp, Speicher - Baghdad, Iraq.
 
I need you to help receive some funds concealed in two (2) trunk boxes awaiting shipment proceedings here in Baghdad. Kindly review the below links as source of funds:
 
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/feb/08/usa.iraq1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7444083.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
 
I do hope you are going to give me your trust in carrying out this venture for our mutual benefit, it's a 100% risk free project but details must be kept in confidence.
I will provide you with more details upon receipt of your response on how we'll realize the safe shipment of these boxes without the breach of the law. I'm not using this proposal to solicit for money whatsoever, I do not need your money, rather, everything will be handled from here for a safe delivery to your mailing/delivery address in your location as would be designated by you. I look forward to hear from you at your convenience.
 
Regards,
Capt. Larasha Williams
Baghdad, Iraq. -
 
larasha.william@yandex.com

Anti-fraud resources: