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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: "william simon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamsimon1960@yandex.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2019 12:31:03 -0700
Subject: [*SPAM*] hi!

Dear Friend,
I am william simon and i have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer .
It has defied all forms of medical treatment and Right now, I have
only about a few months to live and I want you to Distribute my funds
of fifty-eight million united states dollars to charities. this should be confidential my friend
reply me on the email below if you will help carry out my last wish
williamsimon1960@yandex.com

yours truly
william simon

Anti-fraud resources: