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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: "Ofori Willy" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <oforiwilly@outlook.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2015 09:49:09 -0800
Subject: UGENT REPLY

I'm ofori willy , the Regional Manager of a prime commercial bank here in Ghana.I will be pleased to have your assistance to transfer the sum of three million,260 thousand pounds(£3,260,000) to your account. This fund came from excess profit from an accrued interest on money deposited in my branch many years ago, i recovered this funds after giving the accurate annual financial report to my branch I therefore PLACED/DEPOSITED this funds in an ESCROW ACCOUNT
I will give you details immediately i hear from you.
Best regards,
Ofori Willy.

Anti-fraud resources: