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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: Kelvin Williams <kelvin.williams37@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Kelvin Williams <kelvin_w61@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2015 10:34:46 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Assist Me Dear,,


Attention :
My Name Is Mr Kelvin Williams I am writing this letter in confidence believing to receive your urgent email.I need a honest and a trust worthy person to do joint business with.I am a manager of a financial institution (Bank Of Africa) I got your contact through a reliable source through Nigerian chambers of commerce.
I am a married Man with two kids. I am writing to solicit your assistance in the transfer of $10,300.000.00 U.S Dollars. This fund shall be transferred to any designated account that shall be provided by you as my recipient.I have since, placed this amount of $10,300.000.00 U.S Dollars on an Escrow Coded account without a beneficiary (Anonymous) to avoid trace.
As an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money thus I am impelled to request for your assistance to receive this money into your bank account on my behalf.These shall be done through bank-to-bank transfer. All I need from you is to stand as the original depositor of this fund so that the fund can be transferred to your account. If you accept this offer, I will appreciate your timely response.
Please get back to me via my private email ID:kelvin_w61@yahoo.com.ph
Kind Regards,
Mr.kelvin  Williams



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