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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: "John" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <captain_anthony@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Feb 2018 17:13:15 +0100
Subject: COMPLIMENTS!!

COMPLIMENTS!!

With due respect Sir/Ma,I found your name listed in the Trade Center Chambers of Commerce directory here in Iraq, I find it pleasurable to offer you my partnership in business.I only pray this time that your address is still valid. I want to solicit your attention to receive money on my behalf.
I am Sgt.John, an officer in the US Army, i am one of the U.S. Army deployed to Syria in the beginning of the war in 2009, and also a West Point Graduate presently serving in the Military with the 82nd Air Borne Division Peace keeping force in Damascus, Syria. I am on the move to Damascus from Syria as the last batch just left, and i really need your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of two military trunk boxes which has just arrived the USA from Syria. I hope you can be trusted?

Though, I would like to hold back certain information for security reasons for now until you and i will know ourself better. what I intend to share with you, believing that it would be of your desired interest in one way or the other.

I must say that I'm very uncomfortable sending this message to you without knowing truly if you would misconstrue the importance and decide to go public.

In this regards, I will not hold back to say that the essence of this letter is strictly for mutual benefit of you and I and nothing more. I will be more vivid and coherent in my next email in this regards. Meanwhile, could you get back to me as soon as youre through reading with understanding.

Yours Sincerely,

CPT.John US ARMY

Anti-fraud resources: