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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: "Joan R Gates (Cancer Patient)" <pmcbirney@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: joangates66752@hotmail.com
Date: 10 Oct 2023 21:01:24 +0500
Subject: Re: 80 M i l l i o n US D o l l a r s Inheritance For You..

Reply-To: Ms. Joan R. Gates
Email: joangates66752@hotmail.com

Greetings to you.
 
I am Ms. Joan Robert Gates, a philantropist to motherless children and orphanage homes. I got your email address from an email directory as the right person to contact regarding this matter. I am a 4th stage cancer of the lungs patient and widow, since my doctor said i have a very short time to live, i am now donating the funds of my late husband and I to any good charity homes and orphanages of your choice and the funds will go directly to you as the beneficiary. The funds amount is $80,000,000 (80 million US Dollars and is deposited in a bank which i will reveal to you later in your next reply to me. You should send your details to me so I can issue the immediate authorization letter to the bank where the funds is deposited to release the funds to you as I might be gone very soon.

Once again the following details is needed for full authorization by me.

Your Full Name:
 
Your City & Country:
 
Your Age:

Male/Female
 
I await your urgent reply.
 
Best Regards,
Ms. Joan R. Gates
Email: joangates66752@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources: