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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: "Fidit Nelson" (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 18:29:41 -0700
Subject: Re: Investment Pro.

Hello,
 
I am Fidit Nelson, from the Gambia West Africa.I and my partners (two others) are in urgent need of a foreign associate to work with us to facilitate the transfer of a large sum of money which we intend to invest into profitable areas of business in your country.
 
I am writing to know if you could be our overseas associate to handle the transaction privately at your end through your bank account.
 
We propose your commission shall be 20 per cent of the total money been transferred.
 
I wait your response to provide you with more information.
 
Regards,
 
Fidit Nelson.
 

Anti-fraud resources: