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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: "Mrs Madison Taylor" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barblakemchenry@bellair.net>
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2020 20:50:38 +0300
Subject: Reference Number BB/MMB/562/5018/Hwrk/217US/UK

Dear Friend
I have to let you know that i have bequeath (14,258,000 dollars) to you for good work.
I'm Mrs. Madison Taylor, I'm under-going my final surgery on CANCER.
I have little time left, this I know, so I have made this decision,...
Kindly contact my attorney
Tell him that I have WILLED 14.258M to you by quoting my personal
reference number BB/MMB/562/5018/Hwrk/217US/UK.
Barrister Blake McHenry.
Attorney at-Law.
Blake McHenry & Associates LLP
Email: barblakemchenry@bellair.net
Langley Park London,
NW1 2EP. United Kingdom.
Thanks.
Mrs. Madison Taylor

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