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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: "Sarah Howell" (may be fake)
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2019 14:29:18 -0700
Subject: Your GOOD Letter

Greetings Beloved Friend / Email Owner,
 
My name is Sergeant. Sarah Howell. I am an American soldier, born in Austin Texas, USA.  Upon my graduation from High School, when I lost my mother and father in a car accident. I volunteered to join the U.S. Army serving in the military of the 3rd Infantry Division presently in Jarabulus Syria, for training, also helping in stabilizing the country against security challenges. With a very desperate need for assistance, I have decided to contact you for your kind assistance to move the sum of US$10,500,000.00 (Ten Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to you, if I can be assured that my share will be safe in your care until I complete my service. Some money in various currencies was discovered in boxes at a Farmhouse during a rescue operation we conducted in one of the attacks by the terrorists and it was agreed by my colleagues and I that some
 
The above figure was given to me as my share, and to conceal this kind of money became a problem for me, so with the help of a (Turkish Doctor) working with Red Cross, I was able to get the Box out to a safe location entirely out of trouble spot. He does not know the real content of the Box, I told him that it belongs to an American medical doctor who died in a raid here in Syria, and before giving up, he trusted me to hand over the Box to his Family.
 
I have now found a much secured way of getting the Cash Box out of Syria to you for pick-up and I will discuss this with you when I am sure that you are willing to assist me. I am ready to compensate you with 35% of the US$10,500,000.00 Dollars for your assistance. I do not know how long we will remain here, and I have been shot, wounded and survived two suicide bomb attacks by the special grace of God. Please contact me as soon as possible with the below email or WhatsApp. Send the below details to my private email:  armyhowellsarah@gmail.com as to enable us to proceed. Because I need to re-register the consignment in your name as the receiver.
 
Full Name:
Full Address:
Tel/cell Number:
Occupation:
 
God Bless you as I look forward to your positive response.
 
Sergeant. Sarah Howell.
US ARMY
Jarabulus Syria.
 

Anti-fraud resources: