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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: "Rebecca B. Yeaton" <rebecca.yeaton@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:42:36 +0300
Subject: I hope you will confirm this soon


My dear,

I pray this mail meets you in good health condition! Before explaining the
reason for contacting you let me introduce myself; I am Mrs. Rebecca Yeaton,
aged 48 years and wife of a former service official in Liberia.

The essence of this mail is to seek joint investment possibility with you in
a lucrative business in your country. I have a good sum of money which will
serve as capital base for a fresh investment or for financing an existing
one in your country if your government allows such private investment by a
foreigner.

I will be looking forward to your advice towards this proposal.

God bless you,

Mrs. Rebecca Yeaton.

Anti-fraud resources: