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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: Bill and Melinda Gates <bill.melinda.@aria.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Bill and Melinda Gates <bill.melinda.foundation@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2019 11:27:06 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Greetings from CEO of Microsoft, Bill and Melinda Gates!!



Bill E-mail: bill.melinda.foundation@outlook.com
Address: Microsoft corporation one microsoft way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA
Locations: Microsoft locations around the world
Stock: MSFT

Greetings from CEO of Microsoft, Bill and Melinda Gates!!


I am Mr/Mrs Bill and Melinda Gates, I'm writing to Inform you about your Bank Cheque Brought by the (IMF) International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group for your compensation,
The Microsoft and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been mandated to Deliver the Bank draft cheque Contains Sum of $29 million USD to your home Address, get back to me urgently With your personal Details Such as;
Your full name...............
Your home address............
Your Phone number............
Sex/Age....................
Occupation ...............


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