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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.Janet Yellen" <informail466@gmail.com>
Reply-To: informessageoo@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2023 13:45:11 +0100
Subject: Reply immediately

Attn. Beneficiary inheritance

It is very important you get back to me very quickly for a detailed
brief on an ongoing plot to steal your contract inheritance fund under
a false report that you are dead. A Billionaire from
Australia,Woolworths Group Limited, has been lured to believe you are
dead, and he has forwarded an application and the processing is
currently being pursued vigorously with his influence, money and
connections.

As I write, all approvals, charges and taxes associated with the
processing and release of this fund to National Australia Bank
account in Australia has been completed. So, you MUST stop deflate
this move by immediately writing the paying authority that you are
still alive and well as against the lies told by the Australia
Billionaire and his cohorts. Do not doubt this information nor treat
it with despise.

You will get to know more about this upon your response because I
shall give you all available hidden information as far as I know. I
await your urgent reaction to this so I can give you details and the
right office to contact in order to swiftly foil this fraud.

Thanks
Mrs.Janet Yellen
Deputy Secretary
U.S. Department of the Treasury

Anti-fraud resources: