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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: "Anny Mobio" (may be fake)
Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:45:35 +0100
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend,

I know this letter will come to you as surprise but please give me a chance to explain myself.
I am Madame Anny Mobio, 'am also a widow, my husband died last year.
I am from Ivory Coast but 'am currently leaving in Republic of Benin and 'am with my three children here.
The reason why i wrote you this letter is because i will need your help to get access to a fund that my husband left for me and my children.
The fund was deposited by my husband in my name in a bank in Europe which i will explain to you later.
As a woman with three children in exile, i am not capable of doing this transfer an this is why i need your help, at least with the situation of my children.
i have all the necessary documents concerning this fund and i will explain everything you will need to know to you.
i just want to know if you will agree to help me and my children, then i will send my contact and the contact of the bank to you so that you can verify.
Please i know there are so many scam around the world an this is why 'am taking my time to explain better to you, this is not a scam and all i need as a woman is help to access to the fund.

Kindly reply me so that i can explain to you in details.

Expecting to hear from you.

Thanks.

Madame Anny Mobio.

Anti-fraud resources: