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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: "Hon. Barrister M. A. Ogwe" <ccasals@vtr.net>
Reply-To: <frankphelsell@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2020 12:45:01 +0100
Subject: I need your reply. 2

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the Columbia County School District. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear friend,

I am Barrister M. A. Ogwe and my purpose of contacting you is for your consent and/or help to secure and claim the funds left behind by my late client to avoid its confiscation or declaration as none serviceable by the bank. The fund is valued at $19,500,000.00 dollars. I know you may not actually be in anyway related to him (my late client) but for sharing the same surname with him makes it easy to get the funds to your name and/or have it moved to your account for your access, our division and utility. Get back to me for more details.

Regards,

Hon. Barrister M. A. Ogwe

Anti-fraud resources: