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

Fraud email example:

From: "mike smith" <thomc_hm_1@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: michealsmith2020@yahoo.com.uk
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 02:00:53 +0100
Subject: From:micheal smith.

From:micheal smith.
Manchester M27 5FX, United Kingdom.
Tel-Fax:44 700 593 1229
This is to inform you that your funds of US$15 Million
has been approved for immediate delivery to you.
For the purpose of clarification,you are advised to
reconfirm your Full Names,Direct Telephone
Numbers,Physical Address with Zip Code so that there
will be no error during the delivery of the funds to
you in your country of residence.
Your quick response will be highly appreciated.
micheal smith.

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Anti-fraud resources: