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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: "frederick adebowale" <frederickadebowale@frederickadebowale.net>
Reply-To: frederickadebowale@myway.com
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2005 20:04:09 +0000
Subject: YOUR ATTENTION NEEDED




Dear Friend,

I am a member of the contract award committee,of the Department of Petroleum Resources,Nigeria.
I am in search of an agent to assist us in the transfer of (USD 14.3M) and subsequent investment
in properties in your country.

You will be required to;

(1) Assist in the transfer of the said sum
(2) Advise on lucrative areas for investment
(3) Assist us in purchase of properties.

If you decide to render your service to us in this regard, 20% of the total sum of USD14.3M will be for you.
Please contact me via my confidential email for further details.

yours faithfully,

Dr Frederick Adebowale

Anti-fraud resources: