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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: EGOLE PAUL1 <egolepaul1@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 15:38:41 +0000
Subject: Dear, Friend Greetings your family


Dear, Friend Greetings your family
With warm heart I offer my friendship, and greetings, I need your urgent
help to claim the CONTRACT BALANCE OF (€9.580)of the estate of your
possible relative with Ministry of Public Works /Housing Togo, who died
with his entire family in Car accident .over THREE (3) years ago in this
country Lome-Togo. Otherwise the Government will cancel his CONTRACT
BALANCE PAYMENT. All I need from you is to stand as the distance relative
and claimant to HIS CONTRACT BALANCE FUND, I will send you full details, We
will share will be 50%; 1.Can I give you this trust? as a reliable and
honest person, Best Regards(BAR- Egole Paul .Esq

Anti-fraud resources: