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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: "GOLD LINK INSURANCE PLC." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <goldlinkinsuranceplc@ymail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2012 08:10:46 +0900
Subject: GOLD LINK INSURANCE COMPANY.

Attention Beneficiary,

This email you are receiving is from the Gold Link Insurance company.

We found out on our central computer that you are among the list of those that are yet to receive their (Contract payment, Inheritance fund, Lottery winnings,next of kin claims, compensation fund) originating from the west African
region.

You are to fill the details as given below for we to verify your name on the list.

YOUR FULL NAME:
YOUR SEX:
YOUR COUNTRY:
YOUR DIRECT CONTACT NUMBER:

NOTE THAT AFTER WE VERIFY YOUR DETAILS ON OUR LIST WE WILL LET YOU KNOW THE NEXT STEP.

Thanks,

Mr. Thomas Ife.
(CLAIMS OFFICER)
GOLD LINK INSURANCE COMPANY.

Anti-fraud resources: