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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: "Staff Sergeant Wells Joseph" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benhunmalo@mail333.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2017 23:56:26 -0400
Subject: Hi, From Staff Sergeant Wells 86.125.118.211

Hi,

I am sorry to encroach into your privacy; it pleasurable to offer you my partnership in
business. I was just surfing through the Internet search when I found your email address, I
want to make a new and special friend. My name is Staff Sergeant Wells Joseph Ryan. The
United States of America, U. S. AIR FORCE (USAF) I moved to Afghanistan from Iraq, I need your
help in assisting me with safe keeping of two military trunk boxes Contain Gold and Fund which
I will send to you from security company.

I will explain further when I receive your response.

God bless you.

Best Regards,

Staff Sergeant Wells Joseph Ryan.
U. S. AIR FORCE (USAF)

Anti-fraud resources: