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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: "Mrss. Monica Smith" <missmonicasmith@gmail.com>
Reply-To: monicasmith291@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2018 03:28:47 -0800
Subject:


Greetings I am the only Daughter of my late parents Mr and Mrs Nelson Smith=
. My father was a highly reputable business man who operated in the capital=
of Ivory coast during his days. It is sad to say that he passed away myste=
riously in France during one of his business trips abroad on the 12th Septe=
mber 2003. Though his sudden death was linked or rather suspected to have b=
een masterminded by an uncle of his who traveled with him at that time. But=
God knows the truth! My mother died when I was just 6yrs old, and since th=
en my father took me so special. Before his death on September 2003, he cal=
led me and informed me that he has the sum of Five Million, Seven Hundred t=
housand United State Dollars.(USD$5,700,000.00)left in fixed deposit accoun=
t in one of the leading banks in Africa. He further told me that he deposit=
ed the money in my name, and also gave me all the necessary but legal docum=
ents to this fund with the bank. I am just 21 years old and a university un=
dergraduate and really don't know what to do. Now I want an account oversea=
s where I can transfer this funds and after the transaction I will come and=
reside permanently in your country till such a time that it will be conven=
ience for me to return back home if I so desire. This is because I have suf=
fered a lot of set backs as a result of incessant political crisis here in =
Ivory coast. The death of my father actually brought sorrow to my life. I a=
lso want to invest the fund under your care because I am ignorant of busine=
ss world. I am in a sincere desire of your humble assistance in this regard=
s. Your suggestions and ideas will be highly regarded. Now permit me to ask=
these few questions: 1. Can you honestly help me from your heart? 2. Can I=
completely trust you? 3. What percentage of the total amount in question w=
ill be good for you after the money is in your account? Please, consider th=
is and get back to me as soon as possible. Immediately I confirm your willi=
ngness, I will send to you my Picture and also inform you more details invo=
lved in this matter. Kind Regards, Miss Monica Smith=20

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