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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: "Carolyn Lucas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tombolo245@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 12:24:58 +0100
Subject: AS DIVINELY DIRECTED

Dearest,
Greetings in his name and I hope all is well with you.As time always moves forward and never comes back, so shall you always progress in life. May God's favor shine on you everyday of your life.On receipt of the funds, create home for the homeless, provide needs for the needy, give hopes to the hopeless and it shall be well with you in his name.

Matthew 10:32 'Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven.

In His Service,
Carolyn Lucas

Anti-fraud resources: