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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: "Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC ©2023"
Reply-To: <aronjames903@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:33:42 -0800
Subject: CONGRATULATION!

CONGRATULATION!
 
Dear Email Owner:
We happily announced that your E-mail Address has been selected among the winners of the Mercedes Benz International Online Lottery Draw 2023 promo. You are now a winner of a brand new "Mercedes Benz c300 4matic 2023" and the grand prize of $1,500,000.00 USD.For easy claim of your winnings prize, you are simply advice to contact our Fiduciary Claim Agent Mr. Thomas Headley ( aronjames903@gmail.com ) with the below details as stated.
  
NAME:
CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS:
HOME ADDRESS:
PHONE NUMBER:
OCCUPATIONS:
OFFICE ADDRESS:
 
All necessary information on what to do in receiving your winnings will be treated by our claim agent once contacted by you and Contact her by providing her with your Mercedes Benz Online Lottery Draw Reference Claim Code:(W70902039) As the subject of your email for swift response.
    
NB : If you received this message in your SPAM/BULK folder, that is because of the restrictions implemented by your Internet Service Provider, we (MERCEDES GROUP) urge you to treat it genuinely. Delivery fee is mandatory and at your cost in claiming your win.
  
Signed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC ©2023

Anti-fraud resources: