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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: "Barry Leonard" <barryleonard1960@msn.com>
Reply-To: barryleonard@myway.com
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 11:13:06 +0000
Subject: Urgent Response Needed

Barry Leonard
Commercial Loan Office
Centrix Bank
1 Atwood Lane
Bedford, New Hampshire 03110
United Kingdom
Hello ,
I am Mr Barry Leonard, Commercial Loan Officer at Centrix Bank in the United Kingdom. I am sorry for using this medium to contact you as it is highly unsecure but I have no choice as it is the only medium I can use in establishing contact with you that is quick as this matter is in dire need of urgent attention. I would want you to assist in a business venture involving £2,600,000.00 (Two Million, Six Hundred Thousand British Pounds) but have to be sure that you are willing to indulge in this transaction.
Please kindly get back to me if you are interested so I can furnish you with more details. I can be reached on this email address barryleonard@casino.com or on telephone on +44-20-7060-0549.
I await your immediate response,
Regards,
Barry Leonard
IMPORTANT!
Do not attempt to reach me on my office email or office number.

Anti-fraud resources: