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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: Miss Valeria Williams <valeriawilliams2015@c-mail.de>
Reply-To: <valeriawilliams2015@nycmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2015 15:48:26 -0700
Subject: My inheritance & urgent plea for assistance.k

Dear Respected One,
  
I am Miss Valeria W. Williams a 21 years old and a student as well. I am the only child daughter of late Hon. Engineer A. Williams (a Diamond and Gold trader with the Mining Industries, and a Contractor), he was an investor in some Countries and trade from Ghana to South Africa, Nigeria, United States, Europe and as well as Asia before he was poisoned by his colleague.
  
I got your e-mail address on my desperate search for a foreign partner and an investment adviser in any of the Countries to seek for your partnership to assist me to move this money to your country for investments and as well to enable my inherited $1.8 million Usd be invested under your supervision while I continue my studies; On your response, $800,000 Usd will first transferred and upon my visit to you, the remaining $1 Million Usd will be transferred then you arrange and plan how to shift the 730 kilos of Gold to your Country.
 
Please respond, (1) what will be your percentage for your noble assistance?? (2) Can you be of help to invest the money into Real Estate or Hotel management as soon as you received the funds? (3) Can it be possible for me to further studies in your country ? (4) Since i am diagnosed cancer, will there be specialist hospital for my treatment?
 
Note that this is 100% legitimate and will forward every details and related deposit documents as soon as you write back to me..
  
Thanks and i will expect your quick response.
  
Yours ever,
Miss Valeria.

Anti-fraud resources: