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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: <miss.cynthia@pobox.sk>
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:55:48 +0200
Subject: Hello Our Dearest ,


Hello Our Dearest,

Warmest greetings to you.We know that our mail will be suprising to you since you do not know me and my brother. Please, we are very sorry if we disturb your privacy.We really wish to contact you for a business venture which we intend to establish with you.
 
The reason why we have contacted you this way is because of the urgency needed and pressure which we are now facing to find some one to help us.Our Late father before he died deposited a huge amount Six million,Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$6.2Million) in one of the leading bank here in Abidjan cote d'Ivoire. I and my younger brother are looking for your help to guide us on how this money will be transferred abroad so that we can move out of here to continue our education in your country while you take charge of the investment with this money.
 
We are humbly seeking your godly assistance in the following ways;To provide an  account into which this money would be transferred and to serve as a guardian of this money since we are Orphans and still very young.
 
If you can be of an assistance to us,we will be pleased to offer to you 25% Of the total money. Please,we are waiting for your response urgently so that we can discuss more with you.
 
God Bless you abundantly
 
Yours Sincerely,
Miss Cynthia and Micheal Madhu.
 
contact email,miss,cynthia@live.co.uk

Anti-fraud resources: