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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: "Mrs.Lucia Brooks" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wumt99001@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2018 10:45:59 -0700
Subject: Stop all transaction

Attention sir/madam
 
This is to officially inform you that after several investigations and
research at internet database we find you among those that have been
defrauded one way or the other and its confirmed that you have truly
been swindled by scammers in the hope of getting millions of dollars
from them but its not real.We are working together with National
Security agencies Worldwide to track every fraudsters down,therefore
do not respond to their e-mails,letters and phone calls any longer as
they are scams and you should be very careful to avoid falling further
victim to fraudsters from now on wards because they have nothing to
offer you but to rip-off what you have worked earnestly hard to earn.
Be warned!Stop all communication with them.
 
However,the investigation officials has finalized every necessary
arrangement to compensate you.
 
Your approved settlement funds is total sum of $2.7M USD and it was
deposited with an officer where the investigation started. Reconfirm
your information to them so they can be sure of the person they are
paying.
 
Contact person: Mr.David Robertson
Email: wumt99001@gmail.com
Yours sincerely,
 
Mrs.Lucia Brooks
Investigation Officer.
Fraud Watch Department
 
 
 

Anti-fraud resources: