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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: "Henry Coleman" <henkolle84@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: henkolle@uk2.net
Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 05:11:16 -0500
Subject: Respond Urgently.

Dear Friend,

Please, accept my apologies if after going through this message you are not
comfortable with it especially as you do not know me.

I am Mr. Henry Coleman and I was privileged to be the account officer of my
deceased client who lost his life sometime ago.

In the process of review of the financial report by my bank, I discovered
that both of you have a similar last name, hence I contacted you so that I
can give you further briefing on my intention and how to disburse the
estate he left behind.

I will most acknowledge your prompt response as that would enable us to
start something immediately.

Thanks for your co-operation.

Sincerely,

Henry Coleman.

_________________________________________________________________
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