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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: "Russell Dixon" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <russellxp012@aol.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2015 16:54:05 +0100
Subject: VERY URGENT!!!

Hello Good day to you,
 
How are you, my name is Russell and just got on here to look for a business partner. I trust my instinct and my instinct have never failed me in the past. I am convinced that you are the person who can assist me in this pending transaction.
 
I am Mr. Russell Dixon A Fund Manager with the Fidelity Investment International UK. I am contacting you based on my personal interest to develop a mutual business relationship with you in your country. The amount and terms of executing the deal will be made known to you upon receiving a positive response from you.I solicit for your assistance to execute this transaction.
 
I will give you a complete picture of this transaction as soon as I hear from you. Be informed that i will handle the expenses that maybe required in this business deal.
 
Sincerely,
 
Russell

Anti-fraud resources: