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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: dr.jerrystarnes091@cantv.net
Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2011 06:29:21 -0500
Subject: Dr.Jerry Starnes has shared a Huffington Post article with you

Dr.Jerry Starnes has shared a Huffington Post article with you:
Ouster Of Iowa Judges Who Supported Gay Marriage Emboldens Conservative Activists

They also included a personal note:
Hello my dear, Can you handle this donation! I'm Jerry Starnes, 74 year old American from the state of Texas suffering from long time illness/cancer.I worked with the British petroluem for 17 years in Africa and spend most of those years in Cote D'Ivoire and now hospitalised in a private clinic here in the United States un able to walk and cannot hear well due to the damage done to my ear because of the cancer. I have the sum of $10.5,000000 ( Ten Million Five Hundred thousand US Dollars) deposited in my private account here in the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire while still working with the British petroluem as the director of foreign operation and this account have not been operated for 6 years now due to my illness. Now that is clear that i'm going to die and my wife died years ago with out any child,I have decided to give out the sum for charity work and I need a very honest and God fearing person that can use this funds for said purpose,building of schools,health care centers and hospice for the less priviledged in our society. Note: 35% out of the total funds will be for your compensation and renumeration for the work you will do while the rest is for charity purpose.If you would be able to use these funds as stipulated,kindly reply immediately so that i will give you the contact of the bank where the money is deposited . Sincerely, Jerry Starnes

- sent by Dr.Jerry Starnes

Anti-fraud resources: