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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "DR.JOHN FRANK FRANK" <dr_johnfrank2@yahoo.co.in>
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:54:45 +0100 (BST)
Subject: THANK YOU FOR EMAIL


Dear VICTIMNAME,

thank you for your mail, how are you doing today?

I received your email and is will understood, again wont to let you know that i have forward your mail to the bank (CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA(CBN).

so the bank we contact you as soon as poseble,

thank you again and God Bless You.

Dr. John Frank





I apologize for the late reply.
Last year I received an email about an inheritance in Cote d'Ivoire. Even though I paid almost £2500 ($5000) in fees to Barrister Eze, I have not yet received the money.
I don't want to get burnt again.
Can I really trust you?
VICTIMNAME
Harrow, London





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