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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: "Li Wei" <liwei@boc.com.hk>
Reply-To: "Li Wei" <liweiboc@163.com>
Date: Fri, 18 May 2018 14:24:28 -0700
Subject: Treat as Immediate

Dear Mr/Mrs,

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Li Wei, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Bank of China (Hong Kong).
I will need you to assist me in executing this Business Project from Hong Kong to your country. Forty five million United State Dollars only in my branch.

Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue. Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account
we shall then share in the ratio of 60% for me, 40% for you. If you are interested please get back to me. Finally after that I shall provide you with more details of this operation.

Kind Regards,
Li Wei

Anti-fraud resources: