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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Capt. Jones Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Captainjoneswilliams@yandex.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2023 05:18:25 -0700
Subject: I WAIT FOR YOUR URGENT RESPONSE

Dear:Friend,
 
I am Capt. Jones Williams of the US Army. I am currently in SYRIA as an Advisory to the SYRIA Military on the fight against ISIL/ISIS Terrorist and also helping in stabilizing the country against security challenges.
 
During the fight with the terrorist, we discovered the sum of FORTY FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS Only, ($45,000,000.00), stocked in a boxes,which, I have moved to a Red Cross location here. I would like to move this money, as quickly as possible, to you for business purposes. If I can trust you, I am a uniformed person and I cannot be parading such an amount, so, I need to present someone, to stand, as the recipient. I am an American and an intelligence officer and for that, I have a 100% authentic means of transferring the money through Diplomatic or RED CROWN COURIER SERVICE, I just need your acceptance and all is done.
 
I am willing to settle you with 40% of the total sum while 60% goes to me on my arrival. You will advise me on the business to invest in, since I am not business oriented.I want to move this money to your destination for your safe keep, until, I am out of SYRIA.I believe, I can trust you. Presently, we can only communicate through our military communication facilities which are secured so nobody can monitor our emails, I will only reach you through email, because our calls might be monitored, I just have to be sure who I am dealing with.
 
I wait for your response so we can proceed immediately because in less than 5 days the money should be in your safe custody. I wait for your contact details so we can go on. I hope I am fair on this deal, Get back to me with information below.
 
Your Full Name:.........................
Your Full Address:......................
Your Direct Telephone no:...............
Occupation:.............................
 
Please get back to me so that we can discuss the way forward.
 
Best Regards,
 
Capt. Jones Williams
Us Army
Syria

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