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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: abassa ataya <mr_abassataya1@sify.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:15:41 GMT
Subject: I NEED YOUR URGENT REPLY

айDear Friend,
How Are You? I Know That This Mail May Come To You Almost A Surprise As We Never Met Before, Well I Saw Your Contact Email From Burkina Faso Chambers Of Commerce, After Much Consideration I Decided To Write You Since I Cannot Be Able To See You Face To Face,
At First I Strongly Believed That Any Information Received From The Chambers Of Commerce Office Is Correct And Trusted. But Never Mind, I Am From (Burkina Faso West Africa) Mr. Abassa Ataya By Name, An Auditing Debt Manager In Our Bank Here IDB BANK Have An Opportunity To The Sum Of Ten Millions, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$10.500, 000.00), To Transfer Into Your Nominated Bank Account (The Owner Of The Money) Is An. IRAQ. Who Died A Long With His Entire Family During The Iraq War, Upon Your Reply And Interest To Receive This Fund On My Behalf; I Will Kindly Send You More Details On The Execution Of This Transaction Will Commence Or Delete It Off If You Are Not Interested.
If You Accept This Offer To Work With Me, And You Find This Proposal Suitable For You Do Furnish Me With The Following Information.
Your Full Name...................
Your Country................
Your Private Telephone...............
Your Age and Sex....................
I Will Appreciate It Very Much, If This Proposal Is Acceptable By You, Do Not Make Undue
Advantage Of The Trust I Have Bestowed On You, And I Assure You We Can Achieve It Successfully.
Reply me through this email mr_abassataya1@sify.com
This Is My Private Phone Number You Can Call Me For More Explanation.
Mr Abassa Ataya

Foreign Remittance Manager
 

Anti-fraud resources: