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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: "Mr.francis Wiliams" <frcis.williams@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: frcis_williams@yahoo.es
Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2007 16:02:18 +0000
Subject: Partnership Investment

Hello dear,
I am so sorry sending you this unsolicited and unexpected mail. I got your contact from a Business directory in my agents office and I decided to contact you directly for the sake of business. My full Name is Francis Williams.I am in Senegal now searching for a reliable and experience business partner.
I have about $4.2 Million Dollars and I would want to invest it under your guidance so I am only soliciting for your assistance to help me invest it. My Business is totally free of risk and trouble.
If you are willing to invest in this business please give me your confidential contact phone number so that we can see face to face or discuss in details how to go about it.
Thank you once again for your interest and waiting for your reply.
Best Regards,
Francis Williams,


Anti-fraud resources: