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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 Howard Lane <admin@anji.gov.cn>
Reply-To: <lanehoward93@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2018 06:07:21 -0700
Subject: Attn Sir/Madam

BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
Central Business District, Abuja.
 
Attention:Sir/Madam
 
The British High Commission in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana and Burkina Faso received a report of scam against you and other British/US and Malaysian citizens, Etc.Your email was among those scammed as listed by the Nigeria Financial Intelligent Unit (NFIU). Compensation has been issued out in Certified Bank Drafts to all the affected victims and has been already been in distribution to all the bearers.
 
According to the number of applicants at hand, 124 Beneficiaries has been paid, half of the victims are from the United States, and we still have more 67 left to be paid the compensations of $2,500,000.00 USD each.
 
You are assured of the safety of your draft and availability. Be advised that you should stop further contacts with all the fake lawyers and security companies who in collaboration scammed you. Get back to me immediately  with your correct full details (Full Name, Contact Address And Reachable Telephone Number) to check if the delivery date suits you.
 
Regards
Mr Howard Lane

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