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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: "William Ofori" <william_ofori_gh@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2005 11:29:02 +0000
Subject: Gold business proposal

Dear Sir,


I am William Ofori Citizen of Ghana, a native
of Asanti Region,
it is my compliment to your company and wish to
request that presently there are large quantities of
Gold bar and Gold dust for sale.
specification analysis of the Gold will be sent to you
if really you are a serious buyer.
And you are free to come and see the goods and conduct a
test,and we make a propel arrangement.
then I will accompany you to your country where
payment will be made after refinery's final essay
result.

Awaiting your earliest response.
Best Regards.

William Ofori


Anti-fraud resources: