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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: "Qatar Foundation Board" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <qfboard@qq.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2015 18:16:49 -0800
Subject: FINAL NOTIFICATION: Last chance to claim your free donation.

QATAR FOUNDATION BOARD
Al Wajba Area,
P.O. Box 50025 Doha,
Qatar.

Attn: Receipient (PIN: QF14-016-2971)
Qatar Foundation is a government-funded organization founded in 1995 by decree of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (Emir of Qatar).
You have been SELECTED and APPROVED to RECEIVE the sum of ONE MILLION GBP as charity/aid from this FOUNDATION FREE OF CHARGE, and you are therefore advised to send your Pin, Full Names, Sex, Age, Occupation, Contact Address and Mobile/Tel No. for verification and documentation to qfboard@qq.com for the FREE RELEASE of your funds to you.
On behalf of the Foundation board; Congratulations!!

AUTHORIZED BY:
Dr Mohammad Asim Juthamah
President Qatar Foundation.

Anti-fraud resources: