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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: "John Monk" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lawth398@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2023 10:03:21 -0700
Subject: Re: Your Urgent Attention is needed

Hello Dear,

I am John Monk, an attorney at law. I discovered your email and information through comprehensive web email search on directory so I
decided to contact you. I know this sounds like a scam because of lot of activities going on the internet. But I assure you that this is real.

A deceased client of mine, who hereinafter shall be referred to as my client, died as the result of coronavirus pandemic, (COVID-19).

I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank
where this deposit valued at One Hundred Million United State Dollars. ($100,000,000.00 USD). Is lodged. This bank has issued a notice to
contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my named client, so that the proceeds of
this account can be paid to you. Then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage. All legal documents to back up your claim
as my client's next-of-kin will be provided. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. This will be
executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from many breach of the law.

This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from many breach of the law. If this business proposition offends your
moral values, do accept my apology. I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary
confidential, whatever your decision, while I await your prompt response.

Please contact me at once to indicate your interest. I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible and treat with absolute
confidentiality and sincerity. I look forward to your quick reply.

Best regards,
John Monk

Anti-fraud resources: