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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: "Tosh Allen" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <toshallen148@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 2 May 2020 07:10:25 -0700
Subject: Hi


Dear Friend,

I work with Halifax Bank Plc here in London UK. I would need your consent to present you as the next of kin to our late customer who died during the coronavirus pandemic in china. He was a wealthy business man who deposited £ 26,000,000.00 (Twenty Six Million Great British Pounds) in our Bank. He died without any registered next of kin as he was long divorced and had no child.

I was his account officer and have in my possession all the documents required to present you as his beneficiary next of kin. I contacted you because you have same name identity with our late client and can perfectly fit in as next of kin, your confirmation of this message and indicating your interest, I will furnish you with more details.

Please endeavor to provide me with the following so that we can discuss in details

1) Mobile phone numbers
2) Full name
3) Contact address and occupation

I urgently hope to get your response as soon as possible.

Regards,
Tosh Allen

Anti-fraud resources: