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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: "Victoria" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ambassadormarybethleonard2020@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2020 12:15:20 +0100
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary

Urgent Attention
 
This is my second time I am sending you this notification, simply contact
Diplomat Mary Beth Leonard with your contact information and your
nearest airport to land, so that he can deliver the Package worth ($20.5
Million USD) as he just landed in your country now but misplaced your
information, he will give you more details when you re-confirm details.
Your personal code to the box is XLA21492014SD, and the color is silver. NB
indicate this code to the diplomat Mary Beth Leonard, so that he can know
that you are the rightful owner of the box. you can Contact him with this
Email  ambassadormarybethleonard2020@aol.com
 
Contact him with the information listed below
 
Reconfirm your current information as requested below
 
Beneficiary Name..........
Country.................
City.....................
Current address...........
Nearest airport...........
Direct phone number.......
I.d copy................
 
Best regard
 
 
Dr Victoria Douglas

Anti-fraud resources: