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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: "Cynthia Ivan" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lawyersmith@mynet.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2018 18:35:26 -0700
Subject: Your Payment

Hello dear.
 
I am Mrs. Cynthia Ivan, I am a US citizen, 51 years Old. i do apologize for breaking through your privacy with my mail. I was once like you many years ago, trying to get my winnings but to no avail. before I was directed to meet Lawyer John Smith, who is the member of UN COMPENSATION AWARD COMMITTEE, and I contacted him and he explained everything to me. He said whoever is contacting us through emails are fake.
 
He took me to the rewarding bank where I received my entitlement worth Ten Million united State dollars. Right now I am the most happiest woman on earth because I have received everything. Moreover, Lawyer John Smith, showed me the full information of those that are yet to receive theirs and I saw your email address as one of the beneficiaries, that is why I decided to email you to stop dealing with those people. I will advise you to contact Lawyer John Smith on (thelawyermansmith@yahoo.com).
 
The only money I paid after I met Lawyer John Smith was just Nine Hundred and Fifty United state Dollars for the paper works, take note of that.
 
Don't forget to fill out your names, phone, and home address when contacting him.
 
Thank You and Be Blessed.
Mrs. Cynthia Ivan.

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