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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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Fraud email example:

From: "Mr ota" <ogie_ota@yahoo.co.uk> (may be fake)
Reply-To: ota122001@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 15:25:34 +0000
Subject: GOLD FOR SALES

DEAR SIR

I GOT YOUR CONTACT IN THE INTERNET.

WE HAVE LARGE QUANTITY OF GOLD FOR SALES.AND READY TO SUPPLY TO ANY BUYER ON REGULAR BASIS.
IF YOU HAVE ANY BUYER WHO IS READY AND WILLING TO
PURCHASE ON REGULAR BASIS.BE FREE TO CONTACT ME.NOTE
THAT,SERIOUS,RELAIBLE AND GENUINE BUYERS ONLY.

FOLLOWING QUANTITY OF GOLD FOR SALE AT A VERY
RESONABLE PRICE.
IAM HAPPY TO PRESENT YOU MY OFFER AS DETAILED BELOW:
SUBJECT..... GOLD DUST.
ORIGIN......GUINEA-CONAKRY.
PRICE.......$5,500.00USD PER KG.
DESTINATION...UNKNOWN
SPECIFICATION....22CARATS WITH 99.97PERCENT PURITY. INSPECTION.......BY BUYER,S EXPERT
MODE OF PAYMENT.....CASH/CARRY .
CUSTOMS DUTIES......3%PERCENT.
FRIEGHT........BUYERS RESPONSIBILITY.
CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN..........AVAILABLE.
CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP........AVAILABLE.
ASSAY REPORT TEST...............AVAILABLE.
AT YOUR REQUEST,OUR ORIGINAL FULL CORPORATE WILL BE
SENT TO YOU.
BEST RGDS,
OTA.


Anti-fraud resources: