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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: "A Liakos" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <a.liakos@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2019 05:20:12 -0700
Subject: Re: Information.

I am indeed glad to be in contact with you even though this medium of communication (internet) has been grossly abused by criminal minded people making it difficult for people with genuine intention to correspond and exchange views without skepticism.

My previous posts were returned as undelivered. I am making a final attempt to reach you again. I am Mr Antonis Liakos, the Auditor General, Bank of Greece{BKG} . In the course of my auditing, I discovered a floating fund in an account, which was opened in 1999 belonging to a dead foreigner who died in 2002. Every effort made to track any member of his family or next of kin has since failed; hence I got in contact with you to stand as his next of kin. He died leaving no heir or a will, I will explain my intention to you if only you are INTERESTED and I can TRUST you.

Regards,

Mr. A. Liakos

Anti-fraud resources: