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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: "William Stowell" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamstowell44@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2018 08:07:20 -0700
Subject: SUCCESSFULLY RELEASED!!!

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
DEBT REDEMPTION VETTING DEPARTMENT
SW1A 2AH LONDON , UNITED KINGDOM .


Dear Sir/Ma,

RE: SUCCESSFUL RELEASE OF YOUR APPROVED FUNDS

The Commonwealth Office is particularly surprised by constant petitions from many beneficiaries in various countries complaining long-delays on their payments. And, that they wasted much money in the pursuit of their entitlement/Fund. Also, there are cases whereby two or three people are applying for the same Funds. Therefore, we have resolved and instructed that all Funds shall be released through maximum supervision of the Commonwealth Audits and Financial Management Authority (CAFMA). We will forward the required information to you a soon as your reply is received by this office.

Congratulations in Advance.

Yours faithfully,
William Stowell

Anti-fraud resources: