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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: "Gen Campbell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <genjohncampbell1965@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2018 17:23:44 +0100
Subject: Urgent from US Army

I am Gen. John Campbell, a General in the US Army, and
also, a West Point Graduate presently serving in the Military
with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
currently deployed to Afghanistan from IRAQ. I have a business
preposition for you. I need your assistance in safe keeping of two
trunk military boxes. This military box contains something I can't
disclose now to you until I hear back from you. If you are
honest, reply and I will give you more details. Be rest
assured of a handsome reward.
Gen John Campbell

Anti-fraud resources: