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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 Stuart Briggs" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrstuartbriggs_agnt@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2010 20:08:33 +0800
Subject: !!!!!!!!From Yahoo Award Center!!!!!!!!

 
Dear Winner,
 
(Open Your Attachment Is Confidential)
 
Your email ID has been Awarded by the Yahoo and Windows Live For The Month of May 2010.
 
Contact Your Claim Verification Department.
 
Agent Name: Mr. Stuart Briggs.
Email: mrstuartbriggs_agnt2010@hotmail.co.uk
TEL: +447031822596
 
Congratulations!! Once again
 
Yours in Service,
Mrs. Victoria Thatcher,
 

Anti-fraud resources: