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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: "MR. FRANK LUIZ," <frank_luiz1@myway.com> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 25 May 2007 14:08:55 +0400
Subject: DIAMOND ASSISTANCE

DEAR SIR,
I AM AN ANGOLAN NATIONALITY LIVING IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, SINCE THE REBELS DESTROYED OUR PEACEFUL AND RICH COUNTRY. I INHERITED SOME OF MY FATHER'S PRECIOUS ASSETS AS HIS FIRST SON AFTER THE DEATH OF MY PARENTS.

THIS PRECIOUS ASSETS WHICH INCLUDES 22 CARAT ALLUVIAL GOLD DUST WORTH 410 KILOGRAMS AND DIAMOND HAS BEEN IN MY CUSTODY FOR YEARS, NOW THE PRECIOUS STONES HAVE OVER-STAYED WITH ME AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO SALE THEM, THAT IS WHY I'M SEEKING FOR YOUR AUDIANCE AS A FOREIGN PARTNER, TRUSTING THAT YOU ARE A REPUTABLE AND RELIABLE PERSON IN DISPOSING THE PRECIOUS STONES FOR ME, IF YOU ARE IN A POSITION OF BUYING OR GETTING ME A CONTACT THAT CAN BUY IT FROM ME.

THEN AFTER THE SALES WE CAN NEGOTIATE YOUR COMMISION OR POSSIBLY START A JOINT VENTURE IN YOUR COUNTRY.
IF MY PROPOSAL IS ACCEPTED KINDLY REPLY TO ME IMMEDIATELY FOR FURTHER DIRECTIONS.

MY BEST REGARDS,
MR. FRANK LUIZ,





Anti-fraud resources: