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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: "Online User Lottery" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jerrylookers@live.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:06 +0100
Subject: Lottery Winning....Contact Us For Claim!!!

The Online User Lottery Promo!!
Congratulations as you have emerged Winner of USD$2,500,000.00 from this Years Draws.
For Claims Contact: Mr.Jerry Lookers
Email:jerrylookers@live.com
Important Notice: For Claims Of Funds,Provide the Following Information in your Email. Full Name: Email Address: Home Address: Sex: Age: Occupation: Tel:Country
Winning Details,
Amount Won: USD$ 2,500,000.00
Date Of Draw: July 9th 2009.
>From The Clerk Office,
Result Department

Anti-fraud resources: