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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: brann <brabello@alvilag.hu>
Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2005 09:56:18 +0200
Subject: A WORK OF GOD.

DEAR SIR / MADAM.

I AM BRANN BELLO THE SON OF THE FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO
THE FORMER PRESIDENT CHARLES TAYLOR OF LIBERIA. MY FATHER WAS KILLED
DURING THE PROTRACTED CIVIL WAR IN LIBERIA BEFORE PRESIDENT CHARLES
TAYLOR ACCEPTED TO STEP DOWN AND WENT TO EXILE. I AM PRESENTLY IN
NIGERIA ON A POLITICAL ASSYLUM. I WANT TO HUMBLY SOLICIT FOR YOU
ASSISTANCE ON A VERY CONFIDENTIAL TRANSACTION.

BEFORE MY FATHER'S DEATH HE DISCLOSED TO ME THAT HE HAD US$20 MILLION
USA DOLLARS WHICH DEPOSITED AT SECURITY COMPANY IN NIGERIA.( I WILL
GIVE THE NAME OF THE SECURITY COMPANY LATER).

NOW WE COULD NOT CLAIM THIS MONEY BECAUSE OF CERTAIN DIPLOMATIC
PROTOCCOLS. MY FAMILY HAVE AGREED AND SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD SOURCE
FOR AN HONEST HEARTED FOREIGNER WHO WILL STAND AS MY FATHERS BUSINESS
ASSOCIATE TO RECEIVE THIS MONEY.

YOU WILL RECEIVE 30% OF THE MONEY FOR ASSISTING ME. I HOPE THAT YOU
ARE

GOING TO BE KIND AND HONEST HEARTED TO ME.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOONEST.

GOD BLESS YOU.

YOURS SINCERELY
BRANN BELLO.

Anti-fraud resources: