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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: "Fifa worldcup" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lking1950@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:12:25 +0200
Subject: Your Email Address Made It!

Your Email Address Made It!

Fifa and South Africa football federation announce to you the draw of first Africa 2010 Soccer World Cup Awareness Grant Award programs held in Zurich, Switzerland, your e-mail address won the sum of US$1,000,000.00,to file for your claim contact our Award/Claims Manager with details below:
Mr. Lewis King
Tel: +27 783 033 215
lking1950@gmail.com

Sincerely,

Ms. Michelle Rickman
Award Coordinator

Anti-fraud resources: