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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: "Guang Dong Company" <info.guangdong@yahoo.com.cn>
Reply-To: info_guangdong@yahoo.com.cn
Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 14:30:45 -0300
Subject: COLLECTION OFFICER AND REPS NEEDED


"La informaci=C3=B3n contenida en esta comunicaci=C3=B3n es para el exclusi=
vo uso y conocimiento de la persona natural o jur=C3=ADdica a la que ha sid=
o remitida, y para aquellos otros autorizados para recibirla, pues puede co=
ntener informaci=C3=B3n de car=C3=A1cter legal, confidencial y privilegiada=
Si usted no es uno de los destinatarios, es nuestro deber notificarle que=
su revelaci=C3=B3n, copia o distribuci=C3=B3n a otras personas est=C3=A1 =
totalmente prohibida y pudiera constituir violaci=C3=B3n expresa del ordena=
miento jur=C3=ADdico vigente. Si ha recibido esta comunicaci=C3=B3n por er=
ror, agradecemos que lo notifique por esta misma v=C3=ADa a esta Instituci=
=C3=B3n y la borre inmediatamente de su sistema. URBE no se halla obligada,=
ni por la adecuada y completa transmisi=C3=B3n de la informaci=C3=B3n cont=
enida en esta comunicaci=C3=B3n, ni es responsable por demoras o atrasos en=
su entrega.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CThe information contained in this communication is intended solely=
for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others=
authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privilege=
d information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notifie=
d that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in relian=
ce on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be un=
lawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us =
immediately by responding to this email and then delete it from your system=
URBE is neither liable for the proper and complete transmission of the in=
formation contained in this communication nor for any delay in its receipt=
=E2=80=9D.

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