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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: "Mrs. Grace De Aquasi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gracedeaquasi1@live.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2011 13:29:12 +0530
Subject: RECONFIRM TO ME.

Good day,

I am Mrs. Grace De Aquasi, I work in the accounting department of a Finance house. I
want you to receive the total sum of $5.5million (Five Million Five Hundred Thousand
United States Dollars) only on my behalf, which will be released and paid to you as
the beneficiary and as the rightful depositor. All documents and proof to enable you
get the fund have been carefully secured from the different offices concerned, for a
smooth transfer of the fund to you. No risk is attached with it, as I will handle the
inside works by myself.

I require your personal data to proceed:
Full Names, Telephone Number and Address.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Grace De Aquasi.

Anti-fraud resources: