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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: "JIMMY HWANG" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <users7363@126.com>
Date: Sat, 13 Jul 2013 14:11:40 +0100
Subject: Kind gesture

I am J. Hwang, director of a Bank here in Hong Kong. An iraqi man made a fixed deposit of Twenty Eight millions Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollar($28,500,000,00) and he died with his entire family leaving behind no next of kin, am ready to share 60/40 with you if you choose to stand as my deceased client next of kin.if you are interested please notify to send to me this information via this mail (users7363@126.com).
1. YOUR NAME:
2. YOUR RESIDENT ADDRESS:
3. YOUR OCCUPATION:
4. YOUR PHONE NUMBER:
5. DATE OF BIRTH:
6. COUNTRY OF RESIDENT:
Mind you, your names and address will be used by my Attorney to prepare the needed documents that will back you up as the sole beneficiary of my deceased client funds. I wait to hear from you anyway, I have spoken my honest mind to you this day.
Best Regards,
Mr. J. Hwang.

Anti-fraud resources: